62 Artificial Incubation. 



chickens nestle, heat being applied to the lid either by hot 

 water or hot air, so as to imitate the warmth of the hen's 

 breast. When chickens are hatclied by artificial means, 

 such as by the Hydro-Incubator, or the Eccaleobion, or in an 

 oven according to the method practised by the Egyptians, 

 these protectors are essential ; for without a good substitute 

 for the hen's natural warmth the chickens would perish. 

 Artificial incubators are now extensively used, and where 

 gas is laid on they are easily managed, but the chief diffi- 

 culty is in rearing the chickens. For information on the 

 subject see the works of Tegetmeier, Dickson, and Wright, 

 on Poultry. 



