ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION. 



While the law of incubation seems comparatively simple, yet the proper applica- 

 tion of these principles in an incubator is extremely difficult. It means a well-built 

 case, to withstand both moisture and changes of outside temperature; a reliable 

 and constant source of heat ; a uniform distribution of the heat,, so each egg gets 

 a uniform amount ; a sensitive and reliable regulation ; constant ventilation, and the 

 constant supply of humidity, to prevent the excessive evaporation of the eggs, and 

 withal so arranged as not to introduce undesirable factors which work injury to the 

 developing embryo or germ. 



Briefly stated, all that is required to hatch eggs artificially is a temperature of 

 100^ degrees at the centre of the eggs (101 to 103 degrees by contact). At the same 

 time the eggs should be immersed in still air (quiescent atmosphere) containing 

 moisture of a relative humidity of 45 to 70 per cent. If we can believe the incubator 

 manufacturers, their respective machines are built so that the exact humidity neces- 

 sary is supplied. 



This atmosphere should be changed sufficiently often to carry off the waste gases 

 eliminated by the eggs. Any excess of ventilation beyond this may be deleterious. 



There is a great difference in the various types of incubators manufactured. 

 The use of the standard makes will prove more satisfactory. Many machines have 

 been placed on the market which will hatch successfully for one or two seasons, and 



Mammoth Incubator of 10,000 eggs capacity. These machines are coming into use on 

 some of the larger ranches, where they are used principally for custom hatching. 



then practically become worthless. They have been constructed of cheap materials, 

 have not been put together very well, and cannot be relied on to give satisfactory 

 hatches season after season. Then, again, there are some machines placed on the 

 market which, as regards manufacture, are all that can be desired, but fail to glv 

 good results simply, because the temperature-regulating device is cheap, flimsy, and 

 unreliable. Therefore it is wise to take no risk with inferior makes, but secure 

 durable and efficient machines with which to do this important work. 



There are many different kinds of machines, but a description of all of them is 

 quite impossible in a publication of this kind. They are nearly all constructed on 



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