her nest ; but as seven of them hatched, the sit- 

 ting hen is clear of blame, for the seven chicks 

 could not have been produced without the favor- 

 able conditions for incubation to which they were 

 subjected together with those which failed to hatch. 

 Is it not plain that something was wrong with the 

 eggs which contained chicks, in all stages of 

 development, but failed to hatch ? If the incu- 

 bator (hen) was wrong, none would have hatched ; 

 if all of the eggs were right, all would have hatched. 

 Now, the causes of unfertile and imperfectly fer- 

 tilized or weak eggs are numerous, but easily 

 removed or guarded against, provided we know 

 what they are. 



Too close inbreeding will make weak offspring. 

 Inbreeding is excellent to a limited degree, but 

 must not be carried beyond a few generations, it 

 stamina and vigor are to be retained. 



Over-fat hens do not produce eggs that will 

 hatch well ; no matter how good the male may 

 be, the germs do not seem to receive the proper 

 nourishment to develop strength to break out of 

 prison, even if they grow to full size. 



Stale eggs, however vigorous they may have 

 been, do not hatch well. 



Eggs may be both fertile and fresh, yet lack the 

 vigor required to develop a chick. 



Hens over two years old take on fat too easily, 

 besides losing qualities requisite to good breeders. 

 This is the rule. Of course there are exceptions ; 

 but you had better go by the rule than by the 

 exception. 



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