338 ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION 



egg or one containing a dead germ, and such eggs have less warmth. 

 When the temperature of the air is taken, the results will be much 

 more uniform. When recording temperature by the latter method, 

 take it on a level with the eggs by placing the thermometer in the 

 egg tray, or just above the eggs by suspending a thermometer 

 from the top of the egg chamber. The latter method seems to 

 be the better, because the thermometer is always in place and 

 does not need to be removed when the eggs are turned, it is easy 

 to read, and, if hung in the centre, it will record the average tem- 

 perature of the entire machine. If thermometers are placed in 

 the egg tray during hatching time, they are constantly liable to 

 be tipped over or turned around, so that it is impossible correctly 

 to read the temperature. 



A thermometer suspended with its bulb about one inch above 

 the eggs should register one degree higher than when on a level with 

 the eggs. Temperature is the most important factor in incubation. 



The following temperatures are desirable during the incubation 

 period, if a suspended thermometer be used above the eggs. The 

 first week 101 to 103, preferably 103. This should be maintained 

 as uniformly as possible until the last few days of the hatch, when 

 it is advisable to increase it to 103.5, but not over 104. If the 

 temperature of the room is considerably below 60, it will be wise 

 to run the temperature higher than given, as this is for a room of 

 60 or above. Never. let the temperature go above 106; if it 

 registers so high, it is well to cool the eggs down to 100. A high* 

 temperature during the first part of the hatch is more apt to be 

 fatal than after the twelfth day, when a temperature of even 

 110, if not prolonged, may not prove disastrous. If, at any 

 time immediately after filling the lamp or adjusting the machine, 

 the temperature is found to be 100 to 101, it is not alarming, 

 since the eggs require considerable time to warm up after cooling. 



It is best to read temperatures morning and night before at- 

 tending to the machine. Do not try to force the temperature up, 

 for it has a tendency to rise rather than fall, unless the room is 

 very cool. On the contrary, if the temperature goes up to 104 

 or above, the thermostat or regulator must be adjusted. 



There are in the market a good many automatic devices de- 

 signed to notify the attendant when the temperature is abnormal, 

 but they are of little practical value. The incubator should have 

 one operator, who will look after it and be responsible for it, until 

 the hatch is completed. 



