BREEDING AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT 47 



by piercing the egg with a large darning needle, and 

 withdrawing the shell by means of a pair of small 

 forceps or tweezers. 



The Expression Method. 



There is another method which I have practised — it is 

 known as the " expression method." When a bird is 

 found to be suffering from egg-binding, remove it from 

 the nest,place it on its back in the left-hand with its 

 head towards the right hand, then place the fore finger 

 and thumb of the right hand on the abdomen where the 

 egg can be felt, and press gently on each side of the egg, 

 at the same time drawing the finger and thumb backwards. 

 The effect of this pressure is to push on one side the 

 intestines and oviduct, which lie partially over the 

 surface of the egg. When drawn back sufficiently to 

 make the skin appear tight, the finger and thumb, still 

 pressing the egg, are pushed slowly forward towards the 

 vent. 



Great gentleness and a delicate touch are necessary to 

 the successful conclusion of the operation, as though held 

 firmly, the egg must not be pinched hard or it will break. 

 If this should happen, draw the shell away as before 

 described with a pair of tweezers. If the operation 

 is properly carried out by the backward and forward 

 pressure, the egg, except in severe cases, will generally 

 come away. By severe cases I mean those in which the 

 hen is quite prostrate when found and there is much 

 inflammation. 



The movement described may have to be repeated 

 several times ere the egg is expelled. Its expulsion will be 

 assisted if a little sweet oil is introduced into the vent 

 with a small feather, which if possible should be drawn 

 over and under the egg so as to lubricate the passage. 



Testing the Eggs for Fertility. 



When the eggs have been duly laid the hen will com- 

 mence brooding, or sitting close upon them, and all that 

 remains to be done is to feed and water regularly. If 

 you are anxious to know if the eggs are fertile, or not, you 

 may test them on the fifth day from the time when the 



