1904.] Artificial Hatching 6f Chickens. 



i35 



tions should be taken at once to isolate the infected animal as 

 well as to notify the fact in the way provided by the law. 



THE ARTIFICIAL HATCHING OF CHICKENS. 



With the greatly increased attention given to the rearing of 

 poultry which has marked the last decade, a modification of 

 methods previously adopted has been strongly in evidence. 

 Consumption of eggs and chickens and ducklings has grown 

 enormously, both as to the numbers required to meet market 

 demands and the periods of the year when produced. In no 

 direction is this modification to be noted more than in the 

 employment of artificial hatching and rearing, for it is not too 

 much to say that the increase of supplies would have been 

 practically impossible to the extent now seen had the natural 

 system been entirely depended upon. Hence incubators and 

 brooders are largely employed. The natural functions of our 

 hens are supplemented by machines, which have been brought 

 to a high state of perfection, although they may not have 

 reached the final stage of their evolution. 



The question is frequently asked whether artificial hatching is 

 satisfactory. In the minds of practical poultry-keepers there is 

 no doubt whatever. They recognise that it would be difficult 

 to carry out their operations were hens only to be entirely 

 depended upon for the work of hatching and rearing. Early 

 chickens and ducklings, either for killing or as laying stock, 

 would be fewer than is the case at present, even though the 

 supply is still very deficient. But of actual data showing the 

 results from incubators we have not much that enables farmers 

 and others to realise the benefits of the system. During the 

 twelve months ending March 31st, 1904, a careful series of 

 observations have been made at the College Poultry Farm, 

 Theale, where the practical instruction in poultry-keeping is 

 given to students attending courses at the University College, 

 Reading. The following notes embody these observations. 



