386 THE RURAL EFFICIENCY GUIDE STOCK 



up tightly at hatching time to retain the moisture in the incubator. It takes 

 duck eggs quite a while to hatch, even after the eggs are pipped. 



Turning and Cooling. The eggs should be turned twice each day be- 

 ginning the third and through the 24th day, and cooled once each day begin- 

 ning the 8th and through the 26th day. In two tray machines reverse the trays 

 end for end and from one side of the incubator to the other, after turning 

 the eggs. 



Broken Egg Shells. As the ducklings are hatching, the broken egg- 

 shells should be removed every 6 or 7 hours to prevent them from slipping over 

 the pipped eggs, which means death to the imprisoned ones. 



Gauge Machine Higher When Birds Are Out. As soon as the ducklings 

 are all out of the shell, the machine should be gauged one degree higher. This 

 is because the eggs radiate a great deal of heat just before hatching, and the 

 duckling, when first out, absorbs it, being about like a little sponge. In other 

 words, the rapid evaporation which takes place produces cold. After the birds 

 have dried off, the machine will run at least two degrees lower than when they 

 were still in the egg. They should be kept in the machine from 24 to 36 hours 

 after hatching before they are removed to the brooder. 



Testing Eggs. Directions for making an egg tester are given in the 

 chicken department. Every egg should be tested at least twice during incuba- 

 tion, and the infertile and dead germed ones taken out. It is best to do this 

 on the 7th and 14th days. Dead germs decompose rapidly and soon send off 

 an odor. White shelled eggs can sometimes be tested successfully the 4th or 

 5th day. Hold the large end of the eggs up when testing. This shows the con- 

 dition of the embryo and the air cell. 



Fertile and Infertile Eggs. A fertile egg exposes a small dark spot with 

 little blood veins extending in all directions if the embryo is living. If the 

 embryo is dead the veins will have settled away from it towards the edge of 

 the yolk, forming an irregular circle of blood which is called a blood ring. After 

 the 14th day the eggs which have strong living embryos are dark and partly 

 filled up. They also show a distinct line of demarcation between the growing 

 embryo and the air cell, while dead germs lack this distinct line and are only 

 partially developed. 



An infertile egg appears practically fresh, i. e., looks perfectly clear. 



Brooding. 



See Brooding in chicken department. It is important in brooding ducks 

 not to have too much heat, as it means weak legs. They do not need quite as 

 much heat as chickens. Start the brooder at about 95 degrees Fahrenheit and 

 after the first 6 or 10 days reduce the heat to about 80. The reduction of heat 

 depends upon the season. At first the ducklings should be kept around the 

 hover to teach them the source of the heat. Artificial heat can be removed 

 after about three weeks. The brooding systems used for chickens are also good 

 for ducks. 



Brooding With Hens. Ducks can also be brooded successfully by hens. 



