CHAPTER IV. 



INCUBATION. 



The problem of hatching and rearing the chicks is the poultry 

 farmers most serious problem. It combines the problem of breeding, 

 the problem of incubation, the problem of brooding, the problem of 



A promising youngster 



feeding, and the problem of housing. The failures in the past have 

 been caused in most cases by the failure of the people to be able to 

 hatch and rear chickens to keep up their flocks. The farmer or 

 poultryman who cannot raise to maturity as many chickens each 

 year as he had to begin with is destined to certain failure sooner or 

 later. Your success or failure in the poultry yard this season de- 

 pends upon your success or failure in raising a reasonably large per 

 cent of the chicks hatched. AYhat are the elements necessary to in- 

 sure success? 



The hatching power of some eggs is greater than others. There 

 is a vast difference between mere fertility of the egg, and the hatch- 

 ability and livability of the embryo chick. What are the factors which 

 give hatching power to the egg? It is first of all constitutional vigor 

 in the parent stock; second, the rigid selection of as near perfect 

 ideals as possible of both parent stock and eggs; third, a perfect 

 system of feeding, housing and management of the flock; fourth, 



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