118 THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 



to the egg, you will hear the chick making a gentle 

 piping noise, and at this time the yolk, which has al- 

 ready begun to be taken up into the body, is now in a 

 state of rapid absorption, being destined to supply the 

 chick with nourishment, even after its exit from the 

 shell. You will very seldom have occasion to assist 

 chickens in emerging from the shell, and the chances 

 are, that you will injure them, if you attempt it. Act 

 cautiously, but believe that nature does the business 

 best. Some chickens get out in an hour, others in two 

 or three, and it may happen that some may be a day, 

 or a day and a night at work, by starts. For twenty 

 four hours, you should leave them to themselves ; if 

 they are not strong enough to break through their 

 shellwork wall, they will not be stout enough to live ; 

 and this is the reason why, even with the gentlest 

 assistance, they very seldom do live, supposing they 

 have not left the egg by their own efforts. It some- 

 times happens that the feathers are glued to the lining 

 of the shell, which prevents the bird from clearing 

 itself of it. In this case, be very gentle with your 

 fingers, when you draw the feathers from the lining 

 of the shell. You should go to work as if you were 

 removing a blister from your own skin, that is to say, 

 with the greatest tenderness. Be rather tardy than 

 premature ; ' let patience have her perfect work.' Re- 

 member that, if the chickens leave the shell before they 

 have taken in, or drunk up all the yolk, which must 

 serve them for food during the ensuing twenty-four 

 hours after they see the light, they will pine away, 

 and die in a few days. Beware, then, of being pre- 

 mature in any efforts, however well intended, to extri- 

 cate a feeble chick ; nevertheless, be watchful, and 

 ready for every emergency." 



So far we may say an experienced poultry maid 

 would give her directions. But now comes another 

 point to be considered. The chickens are all hatched 

 under favorable circumstances ; there is no mishap, 

 one after another extricates itself what is the treat- 



