Money in Broilers and Squabs. 23 



CHAPTER IV. 



Artificial Methods, and Hints That Will Prove Valuable in Running 

 Any Incubator or Brooder. 



"Be at your post !" is a command that must be strictly obeyed, 

 for in operating incubators especially, it is a mistake to place too 

 much reliance on their automatic appliances. Some machines re- 

 quire more attention than others, but all must be regularly looked 

 after, since it is impossible to install brains into the wooden hen. 



So much has been said and written upon this subject, that we 

 will but brieily touch upon the different points to be considered. "A 

 hint to the wise will be sufficient." We jot them down as they come 

 to us: 



Never sprinkle the eggs while in the incubator. That was one 

 of the earliest theories that the experts exploded. 



Always fill the lamps in the evening. This will make a stronger 

 blaze and more surely carry the heat during the night. 



Never use oil less than 150 degrees test. Cheap oil is danger- 

 ous oil. 



It is a good policy to begin each hatch with a new wick. 



The proper temperature for hatching is 103 degrees for an 

 average. A few degrees above or below that mark will not do any 

 serious damage. 



A dry cellar is the very best place for running an incubator. 



Never trim a wick; scrape off the charred part with a burnt 

 match, or a piece of stick. 



Cooling the eggs makes strong chicks. 



The incubator room must be ventilated, but there should be 

 no draughts. 



. Never allow the lamp to become empty. 



Never have the incubator standing near a window. 



A good time to do the first testing of your eggs, is at the end 



of the first week. 



No moisture is required in the incubator if the air is humid. 



In testing a new machine, be sure to closely follow the instruc- 

 tions as given by the manufacturer. 



Never turn nor cool the eggs after they begin pipping. 



Begin turning the eggs after the fourth day; turn them night 



and morning. , ,, ,.^,, . 



Keep the burner free from dirt, and see that the little sieve on 

 the burner is not closed up, so as to have a free circulation of air. 



