999 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 



QUESTION What number of eggs is considered a setting when 

 buying them for hatching? 



ANSWER Some breeders give 13 and some 15. Probably a 

 fair adjustment of the matter would be 13 if the price is less than 

 $3 per setting, and 15 if the price is $3 or more per setting. 



QUESTION How long after the male bird is separated from the 

 female will the eggs be fertile? 



ANSWER A definite time cannot be fixed. At least five or six 

 eggs in the process of formation, if the hen has that many in her, 

 are apt to be fertilized, and the time therefore depends upon how 

 soon she lays the eggs. 



QUESTION If a sitting hen befouls her nest and the eggs are 

 covered with filth, will it injure them to wash them, or will they 

 hatch as well as though they were not cleaned ? 



ANSWER Anything that fills the pores of the shell stops the 

 ingress of pure air, and consequently is detrimental. Eggs may 

 be washed lightly with clear, pure water only. The water should 

 be quite warm and the egg washed quickly and gently and imme- 

 diately returned to the nest. 



QUESTION Why are eggs not as fertile in winter as in spring 

 and summier? 



ANSWER Winter is not the natural breeding season and con- 

 ditions are not as favorable for fertile eggs. If summer conditions 

 as regards temperature, green food, etc., can be supplied, eggs will 

 be reasonably fertile. 



QUESTION How can fertile eggs be prevented from hatching? 



ANSWER Dip them in boiling water for a couple of seconds. 

 Prick the small end deeply with a fine needle. Sometimes shaking 

 them vigorously a half dozen times will answer. 



QUESTION Does it injure eggs for hatching to wash them 

 before they are set? 



ANSWER Not if the water is lukewarm and the eggs allowed 

 to dry without being exposed to extreme cold. 



QUESTION Of what value are nest eggs? 



ANSWER They are of doubtful value. If nest eggs are used 

 at all they should be the ordinary china eggs. Real eggs remaining 

 in the nest may be the means of starting the egg-eating habit ; they 

 may get broken and soil the nest, which is objectionable for other 

 reasons than filth and they may, after becoming old, be taken from 

 the nest as fresh eggs and find their way to the cook or the table. 



