ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION 



again in hay-time, the mowing-machines play sad havoc 

 with both Pheasant and partridge nests. Here again the 

 incubator becomes invaluable, as you can place the eggs in 

 it until you get the required broody hen. One thing I have 

 omitted to mention, and that is to cover the slippery floor 

 of the egg box or drawer with a piece of wrapper or other 

 similar substance. This is a great help to the young chicks 

 in getting on to their feet. The egg shells should also be 

 left in, as they serve a similar purpose. These may seem 

 very trifling things to mention, but it is this attention to 

 minor details that leads to ultimate success." 



Mr John Wills' essay was as follows : — 



" When speaking of incubators a few years ago in the 

 presence of an old labourer who had not seen one he 

 seemed to be greatly interested, and after some time he 

 exclaimed, ' What be they things ? ' ' Oh ! ' I said, ' they 

 are machines for hatching chickens.' 'What!' he said, 'do 

 you mean to tell me you put eggs in a machine and turn a 

 handle and hatch out chickens ? ' When I tried to explain 

 that there was not any handle to turn, he said, ' Wall, tain't 

 a machine then.' And there are plenty of keepers who, 

 although not as bad as this man was, do not know what 

 a valuable aid an incubator is at hatching-time. We will 

 suppose we have a one hundred egg incubator which will hold 

 one hundred and eighty Pheasant eggs. The incubator room 

 should be situated, if possible, where the direct rays of the 

 sun will not shine into the room. Have a solid floor so 

 that the machine can be fixed firm and level, then start 

 the machine and regulate the heat in the drawer to 103° 

 steady heat. Now if we have not had any experience I 

 think it a good plan to try with a few hens' eggs. Even if 

 K 14s 



