THE HATCHING EGG 105 



day is none too frequent, for if once chilled, they are 

 spoiled for hatching. In the spring they should be collected 

 at least twice a day to prevent their becoming soiled. If 

 collected frequently, the heat from the hen's body will not 

 start germination. Broodiness should be watched for, and 

 all hens hi the breeding pen that seem broody should be 

 immediately removed, as their presence in the nest is apt 

 to spoil for hatching the eggs laid by other birds. In col- 



FIG. 61. Carefully collecting his hatching eggs in order to keep them in good 

 condition for incubati< 



ation. 



lecting hatching eggs, handle them carefully, and collect 

 in heavy, metallic pails (Fig. 61). There should be no 

 sudden jars or shocks, for this may injure the germ, or 

 rupture the air cell. Plenty of nests for the breeding birds 

 should be provided so that the hens will not be crowded. 



Saving the Hatching Eggs. Hatching eggs should be kept 

 but a short time before incubation; the shorter the better. 

 Experiments prove that the hatching qualities of eggs de- 



