CHAPTER XVI 

 Hozv to Run an Incubator 



I want to say a few words here in regard to running 

 an incubator, especially to the beginner. First, after set- 

 ting up your machine and starting your lamp, you must 

 let up your regulator. Keep unscrewing it until tem- 

 perature goes up to 102^ degrees. Remember the tem- 

 perature cannot raise when your disk over lamp is raised. 

 But when you get temperature to 102^/^ and your disk 

 raised one-eighth of an inch, or so it just clears, then 

 your machine is ready for the eggs. 



Better run your machine twenty-four hours after you 

 get your temperature right before putting in the eggs. 

 As soon as you put your eggs in your temperature will 

 disappear; give your machine twenty- four hours to get 

 back to 102^ degrees. Run your ventilation according 

 to directions sent with the machine you use. 



Change trays from side to side in the morning and 

 from end to end at night in a two-tray machine, and 

 turn the eggs at end of third day and fourth day. After 

 this turn twice a day until eighteenth day Turn last 

 time at end of eighteenth day, but continue to change 

 your tray from side to side and end to end until you 

 see the first pip. Handle your eggs very carefully at 

 end of eighteenth day on, and do not jar them in 

 changing your trays. Now, remember, animal heat be- 

 gins to take place after seventh day and your tempera- 

 ture will begin to work up and you must give your regu- 

 lating nut part of a turn every time the temperature 

 crawls up to 103, so as to keep it down as near I02j^ 

 as possible, if you are operating you machine in a room 

 which registers above 65 degrees. If not over 40 to 45 

 degrees, then keep your machine at 103 and do not air 

 your eggs. 



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