PEDIGREE RECORDS 



253 



The process of l)aiuling chicks is explained in the following- quo- 

 tation from Rob. R, Slocum who has had charge of the breeding work 

 on the poultry farm of the U.S. l^epartment nf Agriculture in Mary- 

 land : 



The parentage of the cgys having liccn identified, the eggs arc llicn set in an 

 incubator in the usual manner, receiving exactly tlie same treatment as any other 

 eggs until the eigtUeeiith day. On tins date the eggs are sorted out according to 

 the hens which laid them, the eggs from any individual hen being placed by them- 

 selves in a wire iKisket or conipartnu'iil, or in a pedigree bag made of lioliijiet. liotli 

 the pedigree baskets and the bobinet bags are founrl to be quite satisfactory. 



Tlie baskets allow greater freedon for the chicks after they arc hatched, and 

 may interfere to a .slightly less degree with the hatching of the eggs. The bobinet 

 liags take up less room on the incubator tray, and are adapted to varying numbers 

 of eggs to better atlvantage. The ends of the ])ags are closed by means of a draw- 

 string which can be tied tightly so as to prevent the escape of tlie cliicks. 



When the eggs are placed in the pedigree compartments, a slip of paper is eji- 

 closed ^\■ith them on which is written the hen number and pen number wliicli a]»pears 

 on the eggs. This is done by way of precaution, so tliat if the eggshells are Ijroken 

 so badly during the process of hatching tliat it is impossilile to deciplier the numliers 

 on them, the record will lie available on the slip of jiaper ajid the parentage of the 

 ehieks will not be lost. 



When the eggs are hatciied under liens, only eggs from one hen are placed in 

 a nest, or else eggs from hens of different breeds or varieties where the color 

 of the baby chicks is so different that the cliieks can be distinguistied readily, are 

 hatched together, -\fter the chicks are hatched under the hens they are banded in 

 the same manner as those hatched in the incubator. 



Punching a Hole in the Web With 

 a Toe Punch. 



Strong, 



Sturdy Barred Rock 

 Bands on Legs. 



Chick With 



