338 ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION 
egg or one containing a dead germ, and such eggs have less warmth. 
When the temperature of the air is taken, the results will be much 
more uniform. When recording temperature by the latter method, 
take it on a level with the eggs by placing the thermometer in the 
egg tray, or just above the eggs by suspending a thermometer 
from the top of the egg chamber. The latter method seems to 
be the better, because the thermometer is always in place and 
does not need to be removed when the eggs are turned, it is easy 
to read, and, if hung in the centre, it will record the average tem- 
perature of the entire machine. If thermometers are placed in 
the egg tray during hatching time, they are constantly liable to 
be tipped over or turned around, so that it is impossible correctly 
to read the temperature. 
A thermometer suspended with its bulb about one inch above 
the eggs should register one degree higher than when on a level 
with the eggs. 
The following temperatures are desirable during the incubation 
period, if a suspended thermometer be used above the eggs. The 
first week 101° to 103°, preferably 103°. This should be maintained 
as uniformly as possible until the last few days of the hatch, when 
it is advisable to increase it to 103.5°, but not over 104°. If the 
temperature of the room is considerably below 60°, it will be wise 
to run the temperature higher than given, as this is for a room of 
60° or above. Never let the temperature go above 106°; if it 
registers so high, it is well to cool the eggs down to 100°. A high 
temperature during the first part of the hatch is more apt to be 
fatal than after the twelfth day, when a temperature of even 
110°, if not prolonged, may not prove disastrous. If, at any 
time immediately after filling the lamp or adjusting the machine, 
the temperature is found to be 100° to 101°, it is not alarming, 
since the eggs require considerable time to warm up after cooling. 
It is best to read temperatures morning and night before at- 
tending to the machine. Do not try to force the temperature up, 
for it has a tendency to rise rather than fall, unless the room is 
very cool. On the contrary, if the temperature goes up to 104° 
or above, the thermostat or regulator must be adjusted. 
There are in the market a good many automatic devices de- 
signed to notify the attendant when the temperature is abnormal, 
but they are of little practical value. The incubator should have 
one operator, who will look after it and be responsible for it, until 
the hatch is completed. 
