140 Artificial Hatching of Chickens. [june, 



during the twelve months, showing (i) number of eggs placed 

 in machine ; (2) number of fertile eggs as revealed by testing 

 on the seventh day ; (3) number of chickens hatched ; and 

 (4) percentage of fertile eggs hatched. The true test of any 

 incubator is its results in regard to fertile eggs, as the non- 

 fertiles should not be included in calculation of percentages. 



It is interesting to note the records of various machines, 

 though special circumstances may explain why results are 

 sometimes less satisfactory at one time than at another. 



Month. 



Class of 

 Machine. 



Highest 

 Hatching 

 Percentages. 



Class of 

 Machine. 



Lowest 

 Hatching 

 Percentages. 



1903. 











April ... 



B. 



92-10 



A. 



51*02 



May 



B. 



9i'3 



B. 



63*29 



June ... 



C 



88-68 



C. 



67'5 



July 



B. 



92-3 



A. 



62*22 



August 



C. 



8472 



C. 



64-22 



September 



A. 



84-21 



A. 



7551 



1904. 











February 



B. 



88-88 



C. 



55-68 



March... 



A. 



82-89 



c. 



50*0 



It is suggestive that in this connection all the highest per- 

 centages were obtained by machines in which after testing, the 

 removal of the non-fertile eggs reduced the number remaining 

 much below the capacity of the egg chamber, indicating that 

 overcrowding is undesirable in the embryonical stage of a 

 chicken's development. 



During the year under review testing of the thirteen incubators 

 worked revealed 3,674 of fertile eggs, and from these 2,572 

 chickens and ducklings were hatched, giving the percentage of 

 a fraction over 70, which cannot but be regarded as satisfactory. 

 The monthly averages are shown below. 



No. of Hatches. 



Month. 

 1903. 



April 



May 



June 



July 



August 



September 



1904. 

 February ... 

 March 



12 

 10 

 12 



5 



2 

 2 



8 

 11 



Fertile Eggs Hatched. 



71*48 per cent. 

 76-38 „ „ 



78- 03 „ „ 



8ri2 „ „ 

 72*38 „ „ 



79- 3i „ » 



67-94 „ » 

 75-4 „ >> 



