40 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
smothered up. They will then be ready for their first feed. At the end of four or five days the eggs can be 
tested to see if they are fertile. On sunshiny days the eggs can be tested by making a tester, composed of 
several thicknesses of brown paper rolled on a stick of about an inch and a half diameter, and then pasted. 
Hold the egg with thumb and finger against one end, and hold to the sun. The contents of the egg will be 
quite visible, and should appear as in I'ig. 33 if cle:ir or unfertile. If fertile, the appearance of the egg will 
be as in Fig. 34. The embryo will look Uke a small spider, with long red legs, and will move freely in the 
egg. Persons of extra good sight can detect the embryo in a white-shelled fertile egg at the end of 24 hours. 
Eggs may be tested by artificial light by means of a piece of cardboard, say 6 in. square, with a hole the 
shape of an egg, but of smaller size, cut out of the centre. Hold the egg tightly against the hole, and then 
hold near to a good lamp. A powerful apparatus for testing large numbers consists of a reflector lamp, 
focussing lens, and egg-shaped hole, all made in one. These act very well, and can be made for about los. 
At this period all the smaller ventilators may be opened, gradually opening the larger ones so as to 
have all open at the fifteenth day. See that the evaporating pan is kept well filled. Do not sprinkle the 
eggs, as they are sure to get chilled ; but after the tenth day, and until the fifteenth, fill the pan or pans 
with hot water — say 150° to 180° — every other day. The steam will ascend, moistening the flannel lining 
and also the eggs ; after that date, use the hot water every morning. Use judgment as to the heat of the 
water put in these pans, and consult the thermometer, as if the water used be too hot it will increase the heat 
unduly. It will very likely register 104° to 106°, but as it is a moist heat, and of short duration only, it is of 
no moment. If too hot water be used it will raise the damper, and cause a draught. About the eighteenth 
day examine the eggs again. If the chick is alive, you will see it moving about ; but if it remains in one 
place, as if attached to the shell, it is dead, and the egg should be removed. The eggs can be examined 
from time to time afterwards. About 24 to 36 hours before hatching a tremor will often be noticed in the 
division which forms the air bubble or chamber, and some hours before hatching the chick bursts through 
the division. His head is discernible in the air space, and he soon starts to get out of his prison. As soon 
as he has effected a fracture of the shell it should be turned fracture upwards, as the exertion makes him 
require more air. Leave the machine alone during hatching, visiting only to turn the fractured eggs. If 
the drawer be constantly opened the machine becomes cooled at a time when all the heat is required to 
counteract the evaporation and consequent cooling caused by the presence of numerous wet chickens. 
Chills at this stage are responsible for many chickens dying in the shell. 
