POULTRY RAISING 37 



CHAPTER XV. 



How to run an incubator. 



I want to say a few words here in regard to run- 

 ning an incubator, especially to the beginner. First, 

 after setting up your machine and starting your lamp, 

 you must let up on your regulator. Keep unscrewing 

 it until temperature goes up to I02j4 degrees. Re- 

 member the temperature cannot raise when your disk 

 over lamp is raised. But when you get temperature 

 to I02j^ and your disk raised J^ 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 tempera- 

 ture will disappear; give your machine twenty-four 

 hours to get back to I02j4 degrees. Run your venti- 

 lation 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 eggs at end of third day and fourth day. 

 After this turn twice a day until sixteenth day. Turn 

 last time at end of sixteenth 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 sixteenth day on; and do not jar 

 them in changing your trays. Now, remember, 

 animal heat begins to take place after seventh day 

 and your temperature will begin to work up and you 

 must give your regulating nut part of a turn every 

 time the temperature crawls up to 103 so as to keep it 

 down as near 102^ as possible, if you are operating 

 your machine in a room which registers above 50 de- 

 grees. If not over 40 to 45 degrees, then run your 

 machine at 103 to I03>4, and do not air your eggs. 



In a room of 50 to 70 degrees begin airing your 

 eggs on fifth day and air each night, depending on 

 temperature of room. 



