154 



MAKING POULTRY PAY 



front of a lamp, one by one, with the thumb and 

 forefinger of the right hand, while with the left shade 

 the large base. If the egg is fertile, the air chamber 

 is opaque while the rest of the egg is dark and heavy 

 looking, the two portions being divided by a clear 

 dark line. If the eggs are light and opaque through- 

 out, like fresh laid, there is no use returning them to 

 the nest. Sometimes more than half the eggs turn 



FIG. 57 — CONVENIENT BOX COOP 



out bad, and then if several hens have been set at' the 

 same time, the good eggs can be bunched, thus econo- 

 mizing the stock of hens. 



When through hatching, squeeze a rag dipped in 

 coal oil and rub lightly through the hen's feathers, 

 especially along the inside of wing quills where the 

 lice have deposited their eggs, then put her out with 

 the other fowls if not needed for young chicks. 



