MANAGEMENT OF FOWLS. 69 



tipped with iron to force the shell open, it would not have 

 been a stronger proof of creative design than is this minute 

 speck, which tots is so necessary an instrument In a few 

 days after birth, when it is no longer wanted, it has disap> 

 peared ; not by falling off, I believe, which would be a waste 

 of valuable material, but by bein& absorbed and becoming 

 serviceable in strengthening the bony structure, minute as the 

 portion of earthy substance is. And yet some people direct, 

 that as soon as the chick is hatched, this scale should be forced 

 off with the finger nail, because it is injurious ! 



All chicks do not get out so easily, but may require a little 

 assistance. The difficulty is, to know when to give it. They 

 often succeed in making the first breach, but appear unable to 

 batter down their dungeon walls any further. A rash attempt 

 to help them by breaking the shell, particularly in a downward 

 direction towards the smaller end, is often followed by a loss 

 of blood, which can ill be spared. It is better to wait a while* 

 and not interfere with any of them, till it is apparent that a 

 part of the brood have been hatched some time, say twelve 

 hours, and that the rest cannot succeed in making their ap- 

 pearance. After such wise delay, it will generally be found 

 that the whole fluid contents of the egg, yolk and all, are taken 

 up into the body of the chick, and that weakness alone has 

 prevented its forcing itself out Ti MUM 7 of such weakness 

 are various; sometimes insufficient warmth, from the Hen 

 having sat 0* too many eggs j sometimes the original feeble- 

 ness of the vital spark included in the egg, but most frequently 

 staleness of the eggs employed for incubation. The chances 



* On finding an egg to be cracked, and no progress made during the 

 gpaoe of six hours, I hare ventured with the point of my knife la 

 render a little gentle assistance, but o* seeing any trace of Wood, I 

 instantly desist, and return the egg to the nest Such egg must, 

 however, be watched as assistance finally may be necessary. 



