48 POULTRY BREEDING IN 



ture on the sand should not vary much from one hundred 

 and five degrees, and it will be found that with water-heat 

 of one hundred and twelve degrees, the sand will be one 

 hundred and five, and on the eggs ninety-eight degrees. 

 For beginners, however, it is always best to put the ap- 

 paratus in action a day or two before placing eggs in it. 



3. Turn the eggs once or twice a day, and keep the 

 water replenished as it evaporates. 



ARTIFICIAL POULTRY HENS FOR REARING CHICKENS. 



Where poultry breeding is carried on as a commercial 

 undertaking, and where it is intended to rear the great- 

 est number of chickens with the least number of hens, 

 and this without interfering with their laying, artificial 

 mothers are of the utmost importance. 



The functions of a hen towards her chickens consist of 

 forming a covering to prevent the natural heat of their 

 unfledged bodies from cooling ; also to break into small 

 pieces any food that is too large for them ; and lastly, to 

 protect them against danger. Now, my artificial hens not 

 only do all this, but they perform the duties a great deal 

 better, and with less casualties to the chickens. 



Most writers on poultry do not believe in artificial 

 hatching or rearing ; yet might they as well doubt grow- 

 ing tropical fruits and plants in England. 



Chickens do neither require artificial heat nor that of 

 their mother ; all that is necessary is to provide them with 

 a suitable covering of their bodies until they are full 

 fledged, to preserve their natural heat, the same as with 

 infants. During cold weather, however, their homes 



