999 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 



Incubators and Brooders. 



NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION AND BROODING. 



QUESTION Is it advisable to buy an incubator when one is 

 breeding on a small scale ? 



ANSWER An incubator is a desirable addition to the poultry- 

 man's plant, whether he has many or few fowls. Machines of small 

 capacity may be purchased cheaply and they are always ready for 

 service. With them, eggs may be hatched at any season of the year; 

 one does not have to depend upon sitting hens, and eggs hatched 

 in an incubator do not produce chicks covered with lice as is the 

 case when hatched by hens. 



QUESTION Which is the best hot air or hot water incubators ? 



ANSWER It is very generally acknowledged that hot air ma- 

 chines are the best, and while both kinds have produced good re- 

 sults, nearly all high-grade machines are heated by hot air and the 

 preponderance of evidence is in their favor. 



QUESTION What is the effect of too high and too low temper- 

 ature for long periods ? 



ANSWER If it runs most of the time below 103 the hatch will 

 be delayed and the chicks will come out about the 22d day. If it 

 runs too high the chicks will come out sooner than they should. 

 Chicks hatched under these conditions are handicapped greatly and 

 require much special care and special attention to mature them 

 properly. 



QUESTION Is it not necessary to provide moisture in incubators 

 in exceptionally dry climates, even though the machine is supposed 

 to be a no-moisture one ; and if so, what is the best method of apply- 

 ing it ? 



ANSWER There are times when moisture is beneficial, no mat- 

 ter what machine is used. It may be supplied by placing a wet 

 sponge in the machine, or the eggs may be liberally sprinkled with 

 water. In either case the water should be warm. 



QUESTION Which is the best incubator on the market? 



ANSWER No one incubator can be said to be better in all 

 respects than any other. Any of the high-grade machines on the 

 market will do the work claimed for them and will give satisfaction. 

 There is no more a best incubator than there is a best breed. 



