CHAPTER XVI 



SELECTING EGGS FOR HATCHING AND SETTING 



A HEN 



Note to Teacher : Have the students select eggs for hatching and 

 make nest. 



197. Kind of Eggs to Select. Select only well-formed eggs 

 Do not select eggs with ridges around the middle, or eggs 

 that are undersized.. Avoid those that have thin shells, those 

 with- small ends enlarged, those that are short and round or 

 abnormally long. Ill-shaped eggs should be discarded, as the 

 progeny would not be desirable and they would not hatch well. 

 The average hen egg is 2.27 inches long and 1.72 inches in 

 diameter. No ■ egg less than two ounces in weight should be 

 set, as the markets of the iuture will grade according to weight 

 per dozen. 



198. Age of Eggs for Setting. Do not set eggs over two 

 weeks old. Preferably, eggs should not be over one week old. 

 The sooner an egg is set after laying, the better the hatch. 



199. Care of Eggs for Hatching. See that the breeding hens 

 have clean nests. Place the eggs in a clean basket or other 

 container and leave it in a dry, cool place. Cover with a cloth 

 or paper. Remember that hatching changes occur in eggs kept 

 at temperatures above 70° F. and that an egg freezes at 28° F. 

 Do not allow broody hens to remain on the nests of the laying 

 hens. Hauling over rough roads or rough handling may cause 

 internal injuries that would interfere with the hatching qualities. 



200. Hatching Expectancy. Out of fifteen eggs set under the 

 hen, on an average one may expect ten chicks, and if they are 

 shipped a distance by parcel post or express, eight is the average 

 per sitting. Set fifteen eggs under each hen. 



