POULTRY NOTES.

Shannon News, 21 July 1925, Page 3

POULTRY NOTES.

HINTS ON INCUBATION,

Generally speaking, Hie Incubation oggs is somewhat akin to the planting oi seeds—you want warmth and moisture lor suceessl'ul germination m both instances, in order to assist germination during the first five days it is essential that a certain amount of moisture, be present in the incubator itself. This, oi course, is governed by the climatic condition "oi the particular district in which the machine is being worked. Perhaps, the chief feature of successful incubation is the carrying out of the instructions which are furnished by the manufacturers of the incubator. Each machine has its own peculiarities, and the best results are obtained .by the man who makes a study of the failings and attributes of earn machine lie owns.

During the first five days, then, the eggs do not need much draught, and, in order to keep in the moisture, it is advisable to nearly shut up the machine. From the 6th to the 18th days increase the draught through, but from the 18th to the 21st day decrease the draught, and give slightly more moisture, so as to assist the chick in hatching.

For the first three days the eggs should not 'be touched. Moreover, during the first week the eggs should receive very careful treatment, because everything in connection with the embryo (germ) is very weak and just beginning to form. After the third day the eggs should he taken out of the incubator, twice a day, and put back, immediately they have been turned, without allowing them to cool. When the first week has elapsed the eggs may, after turning, be allowed to cool, but never so long as to become chilled. From ten to twenty minutes is the usual time tolowed tor cooling, according to circumstances.

Above all, do not expose the eggtrays to draughts, or allow the eggs to become quite cold, and never open the door after the eighteenth day. t The thermometer should not ibe allowed to run up above tile correct degree of heat (103 degrees, but never more than lOf degrees is the correct temperature at this stage) as the cliicks will be suffocated, or, failing this, considerably weakened. Once the chicks are halched out, the doors of the machine may be opened a little. Some people close all the doors and have the incubators in a stuffy room, and then wonder why the hatch is such a poor one. The selection of suitable eggs Is ail important, and the most desirable egg for incubation is that possessed of a fine-texture shell, medium in size, and not gritiy. Particular atteniion should be paid to the lamp, the wick' of which needs trimming almost every night, unless, as in the more modern incubators, the lamp be of an improved pattern. If the latter, then trimming is required every third day. Some farmers simply rub off 'with their fingers the carbon deposit on the wick, but a pair of scissors is far more satisfactory: Should the .nigh! show any prospect of a frost, the lamp should be turned up fairly high, Put without risk of fire. If' the flame is weak the cold night will send the machine back several degrees, which may spell disaster to tlie hatch. Regular heat is the keynote of good incubation. If, during the last, day or so, it is discovered that the hatch is soriiewhat. “dry,” a good plan is to dip some towels into fairly hot water, wringing lightly out, and lay them on top of each tray. This will help the chicks in hatching. At the seventh or eighth day the eggs should be tested for fertilitv, for by this time must of the weaklings have died.

Tlie keystone of (he whole questioi is that the breeding stock should he vigorous, and reared under good, hard conditions. All the care which may have been exercised during the incubation period will be nullified if the eggs come from weak stock. Given eggs from good stock, and careful adherence to the instructions for incubation, good results may be reasonably expected. The breeding stock must have plenty of green food,ami exercise.