POULTRY 



When people raise chickens on a large scale they find 

 that it is more profitable to incubate the eggs by what is 

 known as 



(6) Artificial or Machine Incubation. Artificial incu- 

 bation requires great care and a rather extended expe- 

 rience to be successful. Hundreds of little details, many 

 of which in the natural method the hen herself takes care 



of, must be mastered. 

 Usually, full directions 

 accompany the appara- 

 tus; that is, the in- 

 cubators and brooders, 

 when purchased from the 

 dealers. Just a few sug- 

 gestions need be offered 

 here. 



Get ready a little be- 

 forehand by trying out 

 the apparatus for several 

 days to be sure you can 

 operate it according to directions. Perhaps a well- 

 ventilated cellar is as good a place as any for the hatching. 

 Select the best eggs obtainable. Keep the temperature as 

 near 102 F. as possible. Turn the eggs twice daily from 

 the third to the eighteenth day. Cool the eggs each day 

 for about fifteen minutes, or when the weather is warm 

 a little longer. Testing is done on the seventh and the 

 fourteenth days. 



A simple device for "candling" or testing eggs can be 

 made by folding, in the form of a tube an inch or two in 

 diameter and about two feet long, a piece of heavy paper. 

 Place the egg at one end and look through the tube 

 toward a strong light. A large dark area indicates a live 

 embryo. You understand why it is useless to keep on 



SMALL CHICKEN HOUSE. 



