NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION 



73 



after year, the general average will usually result as above 

 mentioned. The problem of predetermining the sex still 

 remains unsolved. In other words, up to the present time 

 there is no satisfactory method of foretelling whether an egg 

 will produce a male or a female. 



TIME OF THE YEAR TO HATCH 



When to hatch. The early spring is the best time for 

 hatching, as it is nature's most favorable growing season. 

 By hatching chickens early they have the advantage of this 

 favorable growing season and a longer growing period than 

 those hatched during the late spring or early summer. 



Figure 73. — Early hatched pullet 

 laying in the fall. 



Figure 74. — Hen molting in the 

 fall and not laying. 



Given the same feed, care, and attention, chickens hatched 

 the first of March weigh more when they are four months 

 old than those hatched the first of May, when they are of 

 the same age. 



The rate of growth of a chick is greater during the first 

 four weeks of its life than at any other period. Other con- 

 ditions being equal, therefore the more favorable the period. 



