64 ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION 



proper operation of an incubator — a good incubator 

 — has much to do with the results, but on the other 

 hand the operator may follow the directions to the 

 most minute details with an improperly con- 

 structed machine, and the hatching results will 

 still be far from satisfactory. 



There are two general methods used in heating 

 the egg chamber — hot air and hot water. There 

 are good machines made with both systems, and 

 both have their friends and advocates. Some manu- 

 facturers make both kinds, and put it up to the 

 poultry raiser to do the choosing. The large 

 incubators hatching thousands of eggs are all hot 

 water machines, and are operated from one heating 

 stove. 



The regulator is the most important part of a 

 good hatching machine; upon its accuracy depends 

 the uniformity of the heat in the egg chamber. A 

 poorly constructed regulator is difficult to regulate, 

 and is liable to fail in performing its function at 

 the most critical time of incubation. A good regu- 

 lator must be sensitive and at the same time be 

 so constructed that it has the proper amount of 

 durability. 



Another feature which is important in an incu- 

 bator is the construction of the box itself. It must 

 be built so that it will retain the heat, and if made 

 of wood it should be well seasoned lumber, properly 

 matched, thus eliminating the danger of warping. 



