CHICKEN RAISING

Shannon News, 10 June 1927, Page 3

CHICKEN RAISING

There is not much difficulty, as a rule, when starting an incubator in attaining the requisite temperature, but if any delay should occur try stopping a few of the ventilator holes. Test the temperature by leaving a good thermometer in the place to be occupied by the top of the eggs, but do not place it higher than that. The empty egg draw must be in position when starting up the incubator, oth- | erwise you will not be able to get the right heat there. In order to make sure that your thermometer is registering accurately, put a clinical thermometer beside it and check the two results. A temperature of 103 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit gives very satisfactory results with nearly all types of incubator. Experience proves, however, that slightly better results are obtained by gradually increasing the temperature from the start up to 105, and then reducing it to 103 or 104. This is more satisfactory tlian maintaining a dead-level temperature throughout. Towards the end of the hatch the lamp may safely be turned down just a little, as the heat thrown off by the chicks causes the damper to rise.