20 



VENTILATION AND MOISTURE. 



The moisture or air-saturation is affected by the size of the opening 

 of the ventilators. A wide opening of the ventilators will reduce, a 

 small opening will increase, the moisture. With a wide opening the air 

 moves through the machine rapidly and carries the moisture out. In 

 starting the machine open the ventilators, and gradually close them as 

 necessity demands. Thin, porous shells dry rapidly, while thick shells 

 are slower, and if eggs from different varieties are placed in the machine 

 at the same time an average will have to be struck. 



START ALL THE EGGS AT ONE TIME. 



When starting a machine put all the eggs in that you intend for that 

 particular hatch; it is a mistake to put additional eggs in from time 

 to time. 



TURNING AND COOLING THE EGGS. 



Turn the eggs night and morning after they have been in the machine 

 forty-eight hours. It is well to mark the eggs on one side thus , so 

 that the marked side is visible on one occasion and out of sight next. 

 They should not be turned exactly half way; the position should be 

 varied. Allow them to cool about ten minutes at first, and gradually in- 

 crease the time till the third week; they may then remain out of the 

 machine from thirty to sixty minutes, according to the weather. It is 

 advisable to change the position of the eggs occasionally; those that are 

 on the outside of the tray one day should be placed in the centre the next. 

 Cease turning the eggs as soon as they commence to pip (i.e., as soon as 

 the chickens crack the shells), and on no account allow the incubator- 

 door to be opened after that till the hatch is completely over. This is a 

 very important point, and curiosity should not cause it to be forgotten. 



CRIPPLED CHICKENS. 



This trouble is caused through the chicks being in the shell too long, 

 and the heat being allowed to run too low or too high at some time 

 during the incubating period. 



BROODING CHICKS. 



Success in raising chicks depends largely on preventing them from 

 becoming chilled. Chills and exposure are common causes of bowel- 

 trouble. If chickens huddle together it is a sure sign that more heat is 

 required. In cold weather chicks need more heat and covering than 

 when the weather is warm. If the food is given in the brooder (which 

 is necessary with quite young chicks) remove it as soon as possible, as 

 the heat will cause it to steam and become sour. Crowding chicks in 

 poorly ventilated brooders is a grave mistake; crowding under the most 

 favourable conditions should be avoided, or the mortality will be great. 

 Although 3 ft. square is generally claimed as sufficient for one hundred 

 young chickens, double that space is desirable for the number stated. 



