POULTRY. 



295 



PROBLEM. 



1. Find the per cent of eggs that were hatched and the per cent of 

 deaths that occurred from both the hens and pullets used as breeders in 

 the preceding experiment given by the West Virginia Station. 



Facts about Incubation. 



Eggs set or put in the incubator about April i, produce the 

 highest per cent, of chicks. 



Early hatched chicks grow faster than the late hatched; 

 April is considered the most favorable month for growth. 



The weight of chickens when hatched does not seem to be in 

 direct proportion to the weight of the eggs. 



THE INCUBATOR. 



FIG. 7. A suggestive illustration. 



Cross-section of a hot air heated incubator showing the method of 

 regulating the temperature, the ventilation system, and the general con- 

 struction. 



(a) Counterpoise weight, (b) Regulator arm. (c) Connecting rod. 

 (d) Thumb nut. (e) Pivot casting. (/) Heater disc, (g) Cotton batting 

 filling between inside and outside cases, (h) Thermostat. () Egg cham- 

 ber. (/) Moisture pan filled with sand kept wet. (fc) Nursery. '(*) 

 Bottom ventilator for escape of air from egg chamber, (n) Insulation in 

 bottom of incubator. (/) One of four pipes to discharge air from above 

 level of eggs into false bottom beneath egg chamber, (r) Fresh air in- 

 take, (s) Outlet for escape of lamp fumes. No fumes can get into 

 machine. 



