ATTENTION DURING HATCHING 345 



Eggs showing a bright-red line fixed to the shell in the form of a 

 semicircle, with the germ in the centre, contain dead embryos. 

 A dark-red spot seen against the shell is undoubtedly a germ which 

 died from want of turning. A hazy air cell and small faint germ 

 indicate weakness and lack of vitality, and the chances are that 

 the egg will not be hatched. 



When the testing is finished, eggs which have passed inspection 

 should be immediately returned to the machine. When making 

 the test the usual turning and cooling are unnecessary, as the eggs 

 get enough of both during the process. On the fourteenth day 

 the same routine is followed; this time, however, the object is 

 merely to determine the increased size of the air cell and its re- 

 quirement of moisture, as well as to remove any eggs in which 

 the germ has died during the intervening time. Normal eggs will 

 now show a rather large air cell, with a clear-cut and distinct 

 dividing line, the remainder of the egg being extremely but uni- 

 formly dark in color. By rotating it slowly the outline of the 

 embryo chick, greatly increased in size, can be seen. Any which 

 at this time show no sign of vitality, but a haziness around the 

 air cell with a clear area near the edges, should be discarded, as 

 they undoubtedly are dead or will not hatch into vigorous chicks. 

 All eggs which denote dead or weak germs should be marked, placed 

 in a separate tray, and subsequently buried, as they are now unfit 

 for eating. During extremely cold weather, to prevent chilling, the 

 eggs should not be left out any longer than is necessary. 



Records. The running of an incubator is a matter of detail, 



and the study of past records will enable one to determine the best 

 method to pursue under given conditions, and the incubation 

 possibilities of a given flock. Hence, it is advisable to keep an 

 accurate account of all the operations connected with each hatch, 

 but the method should be so simple and convenient as to reduce 

 the clerical work to a minimum. Such a history will not only 

 establish the record of one particular incubator, but will acquaint 

 the poultryman with the conditions in his breeding pen as regards 

 the fertility and hatching power of eggs. Such a record sheet 

 can be tacked to a light, smooth board suspended in front of or 

 under the incubator. (See Chapter XXVI.) 



Attention During Hatching. From the time the machine is 

 closed, when the first egg is seen to pip, it should be absolutely 

 undisturbed, so that the right degree of temperature approxi- 

 mately 103.5 to 104 may be maintained. Before closing it, 



