94 INCUBATION 



Ventilation in Incubators. Proper ventilation is of 

 vital importance, because the moisture content of the 

 eggs is largely controlled by ventilation, and it must 

 be rigidly maintained. Moisture and ventilation are not 

 controlled in the same way in all incubators. The 

 directions for operating each kind of incubator are 

 explicit with reference to these two matters, and it is 

 usually a safe, correct practice to follow these directions 

 closely. 



Faults in Operation of Incubators. Bad odors and 

 smoking lamps are often due to poor oil; unless this 

 fault is remedied the hatch will be spoiled. Imperfect 

 lamps, short wicks, or wicks that are filled up in the 

 web are also serious obstacles to success in artificial 

 incubation. The best obtainable lamps and wicks are 

 often faulty. If they are defective in any respect 

 they render the keeping of an even temperature dif- 

 ficult or impossible. An even heat current cannot be 

 maintained unless the incubator is absolutely level 

 on top. Flues that are clogged with soot fail in heating; 

 oil-covered lamps soil the hands and when they become 

 heated pass the odor of oil through the heater into the 

 egg chamber. 



The handling or turning of eggs with hands that 

 are soiled with oil destroys the embryo in the shell. 

 Too much haste in warming overheats the eggs and 

 kills the germs; a sudden jar of the incubator separates 

 the yolk in the egg and the chick promptly dies. 

 If the eggs are left out to cool until they are chilled, 

 they will not hatch. Lamps irregularly filled, carelessly 

 trimmed, and allowed to burn too high or too low 

 assure failure, as will also neglect in turning and 

 airing the eggs. If the operator neglects the eggs 

 in the incubator, failure is as certain as it is when 

 the hen neglects her nest. 



Not all incubators are constructed alike, and the 

 best results are secured by following the special direc- 

 tions for operation that are usually furnished with the 

 machine. 



