THE GALLINACEOUS TRIBES 



231 



or eight days old. The artificial incubator has 

 no merit in itself ; it is only of \-alue so far as 

 it exercises on the egg precisely the same in- 

 fluence as the mother hen. 

 The hen is a live machine ; 

 the machine is an artificial 

 hen. The results of the 

 incubation depend entirely 

 on the eggs to be hatched. 

 If they are good, artificial 

 incubation will give e.xcel- 

 lent results. 



VI. The Artifici.\l 

 Raising of Chickens 



Having now explained 

 machine incubation, a little 

 advice may facilitate the 

 management of the artifi- 

 cial mother. It is not a very difficult matter. 

 During the first few days the machine itself 

 is the mother. It should not be opened during 

 that time, as all the chickens need is warmth. 

 It is necessary only to maintain the tempera- 

 ture at 92° with the necessary ventilation. 

 Before the chicks come out of 

 the machine care must be 

 taken to diminish the tempera- 

 ture gradually day by day. 

 After they come out it is well 

 to have rather more warmth 

 by day than by night, because 

 the little creatures need it 

 after running in the outer air. 

 If they are found dispersed 

 about in the incubator, it is a 

 sign that they are comfortable ; 

 if, on the contrary, they huddle 

 together, the heat should be 

 raised a little ; but if they take 

 refuge in the corners, it is a sure 

 sign that they are too warm. 



During the first six days the 

 chicks should be fed in the in- 

 cubator ; after that, outside of 



A Silver Braekf.l Hen 



immobility on the cold ground often gives them 

 rheumatism, and it should be prevented. 



To those who raise but few chickens these 

 artificial mothers, which 

 can be kept out of doors, 

 are recommended as very 

 serviceable, because they 

 can not only be moved 

 from place to place but 

 they also serve to protect 

 the chickens from cats, 

 rats, weasels, etc. 



The first week the food 

 of the chicks should be 

 bread crumbs mixed with 

 the infertile eggs taken 

 from the incubator ; they 

 should also have oats or 

 barley ground in little mills 

 (made expressly for this purpose) and mixed 

 with a small allowance of milk. The second 

 week it is well to give them wheat or other 

 grain ground in the same way, to vary the food, 

 after which they may be allowed to run at 

 large within the inclosure, where they will find 



Year-Oi.d Pullets 



it, for by that time they are able to take care both grass and insects. As soon as they are 

 of themselves. If they move with difficulty, left completely at liberty they will roam in all 

 they will complain and keep stationary. This directions after worms and beetles ; but if their 



