254 COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



are built with inclined bottoms, divided in the center with a low 

 partition, therefore it is a simple matter to remove a few of the 

 eggs from the middle rows, gently roll the others toward the 

 center, replacing the middle eggs at the ends of the trays. Lay 

 the palms of the hands flat on the eggs and endeavor to move 

 them with a slight rotary motion. Avoid jarring them or hand- 

 ling them roughly, for the delicate membranes and blood-vessels 

 are apt to be ruptured. 



When the tray is replaced in the machine, it should be reversed 

 end for end, and if there are two trays to a compartment, which 

 is the customary arrangement in large incubators, the trays 

 should be alternated from side to side. This is done to equalize 

 any irregularity in the temperature of the egg chamber; the eggs 

 are constantly moved to every point in the interior. In per- 

 forming this work the hands should be clean, and particularly 

 free from any kerosene that might have been acquired in handling 

 the lamp. For this reason, it is well to handle the eggs first, and 

 then trim the lamp. 



Cooling the Eggs. — Some operators declare that cooling the 

 eggs is unnecessary. I do not agree with this idea. I believe 

 that cooling is just as necessary as turning the eggs, perhaps more 

 so. I have found It to be a decided help in hatching chicks of 

 strong vitality, whereas lack of cooling often produced weak 

 chicks. The amount of cooling depends almost entirely upon the 

 season of the year and the temperature of the cellar. During 

 the first week of incubation sufficient cooling is obtained in turn- 

 ing the eggs. After the seventh day leave the trays on top of 

 the machine or on tables until the eggs are almost cool, or until 

 an egg when it is placed against the eyelid feels neither warm nor 

 cool. From fifteen minutes to a half-hour is about the correct 

 time. 



While the eggs are cooling in this fashion see that they are not 

 in a draft, and always keep the doors to the egg chambers closed. 

 The temperature in the machine should be maintained, though, 

 of course, it will fall as soon as the trays are replaced, by reason 

 of the lower temperature ■ of the eggs. It is customary to cool 



