THE POULTRY YARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 502, 3 November 1928, Page 30

THE POULTRY YARD

(By

GEO. H. AMBLER.)

WHY CHICKS DIE IN SHELL

THERE seem to be wide and varied opinions as to why chicks die in the shell. Many claim that the germ is weak, caused by too intensive in-breeding. When poor results are obtained, this should always be the first point to consider. With weak inbred stock the best of incubation and the best of conditions will not batch eggs properly.

We also find weak germs at times when the parent stock is not related. This may be the result of too close confinement, with little or no exercise during the long winter months, improper food, overfeeding, and many other things too numerous to mention. One principal cause given for poor hatches is the improper care of the eggs after they are gathered and before they are placed In the machine. Many poor hatches are laid to this cause when It is not at fault at all. In fact, eggs will stand more rough usage than most people would believe and still hatch good, strong chicks. The main point in keeping eggs for hatching is to keep them In a uniform temperature. A temperature of from 40 to 50 degrees is best. We have, however, known eggs to hatch well kept in a room with the temperature much lower. Never keep eggs close to a fire or in a heated room. This draws the

moisture from them and causes them to dry out more rapidly, and the results are chicks dead in the shell. Eggs kept for .Incubation should be turned over every other day, and care should be exercised in having the hands free from kerosene or other oil and grease while turning them. It is not wise to wash eggs if they are intended for incubation. Better take a damp cloth and wipe them thoroughly, but if they are badly soiled it is better not to use them. Always use eggs uniform in size; in fact, never use very small eggs. Neither would we advise using very large eggs. The writer is fully convinced, after many careful experiments, that while the above will help many hatches, the main reason for poor hatches is running the Incubator at too high a temperature, or improper ventilation. The two go hand in hand. The temperature being run too high has a tendency to dry down the water content of the eggs too rapidly, consequently chicks die in the shell. Lack of ventilation means lack of air carrying moisture;'also lack of fresh air which carries oxygen to the developing embryo. FIRST WEEK IMPORTANT

The first week of incubation is of vital importance to eggs placed in the machine, some operators claiming that if they are properly incubated the first week, the eggs are bound to pro-

V NCOXAS. Langshans, -Minorcas, White and Brown Leghorns, settings, 10s bn: fragile and express postage 2s 6d; also Baby Chicks, live delivery guaranteed.—Wm. C. Page, 5 Sarawai Street Parnell. ’

, duce life and strong chicks. Too much ventilation should not be allowed during this period. The ventilating holes should be practically closed and the eggs should never be allow ed even to chill during this time. Great care should be exercised in turning the eggs, and do not leave them out of the machine at any time during the first week longer than is necessary to turn them, unless the weather be extremely warm. After this period is passed, more ventilation may be supplied, and with the pfoper amount of humidity or moisture in the air, a good hatch is - assured. Everyone has noticed upon investigation that, in eggs which do not hatch and wTiich yet contain chicks, the membrane or lining of the shell of the egg has become tough; so much so that at the hatching time the chicks are unable to break through, many even dying in the shell after being pipped, whereas if the membrane had been soft and tender as when first laid, the chicks would easily have picked their way out. For illustration let us go back to the setting hen. Take the nest of the hen. Watch how closely she attends to her duty the first week. It is seldom that one gains sight of the eggs, the feathers coming down close over the eggs, excluding air and making the nest practically impervious to ventilation. It well could be compared to a tent properly staked and attached to the ground, making the interior much warmer than even a house built of wood. Later on, during the hatch, we find Biddy leaving the nest at extended periods, and even while she is attending to her duty we find she has the eggs exposed to full view', which her instinct seemingly does not object to. What is the result? In nearly every ease 100 per cent, of the fertile eggs hatch. MOISTURE NECESSARY Moisture is one of the most important factors which contribute to a successful hatch, and we believe that in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred not enough moisture is supplied in artificial hatching. We are no advocates of supplying moisture within a machine; in fact, we advise against it. This would be all right if anyone could gauge the exact amount of moisture required to meet all conditions, but this is almost a physical impossibility, consequently we must bend our efforts to supply the correct humidity in the air outside the machine.

To do this we would select a cellar with an earth floor in place of cement.

The cement might be all right if only one machine is run in the cellar and the floor frequently sprinkled with water to supply moisture to the air. This method never appealed to us, however, and we always have found the best results, where a dozen machines are in one room, were obtained on earth floors where even pools of water were standing at times. The writer -well remembers one of the best hatches he ever experienced was in a sand earth cellar with no cement sides or floor; and through neglect, leaving the eggs out one day, after the second week of incubation, from six o’clock at night, in a temperature of about 45 degrees. Out of 137 fertile eggs the result was 130 iive chicks. After this experience, in later years tests were made, and in nearly every case where eggs were allowed one good airing during incubation. better results were obtained than where the eggs were never allowed to air more than a quarter of an hour at a time. Stronger chicks were obtained, too.

No set rules can be given as to the amount of time eggs should be aired, as this largely depends upon the outside temperature; but in a room where the temperature runs around 60 degrees, we would advise the beginner to air the eggs slightly the fifth ° r . ’’', l da > 7 - gradually increasing until the eggs are being aired 10 min“tes daily on the tenth day. After this time, increo.se about five minutes each day until the 18th day, and during this period, say, about the 15th day, give the eggs one good airing. We often hear of experiences wherein poultry-keepers are successful in securing an unusually large hatch when only one machine is used. This is frequently the report of beginners who have never used a machine before. These hatches very often surpass the average attained by setting hens. One reason for this, which should not be overlooked bv old experienced operators, is that the manufacturers’ directions given with a machine were followed in everv detail.

In most cases incubator manufacturers have made a careful study of their machine and know under what conditions the best results can be obtained. The old operator is apt to be careless or to be led away by his own fancy’, or theories advocated by someone else. He ofteD thinks it is not necessary to turn the eggs twice daily, or gets careless in airing them, etc., whereas the beginner is, as a rule, successful with at least his first hatches.

GENERAL NOTES A CANADIAN SCHEDULE We have just received a copy of the seventh annual schedule of the Toronto Royal Winter Fair, to be held from November 21 to 29 next. Poultry have 160 classes, practically every breed being catered for. We note Polish have eight classes and are divided into “bearded” and “unbearded.” Prize-money is paid in the same way as in New Zealand, viz., on the sliding scale, -with the exception that in large classes prizes are paid down to the 14th award. Pigeons have 261 classes. * * * The following is the report of the Taranaki Egg Laying Competition for the week ending October 24. In the

White Leghorn section W. Cannon's bird has laid the possible, bringing her total to 156. W. Ferguson’s hen having laid only six is now three eggs behind the leader. J. K. Hawkin’s Black Minorca has laid five. Andalusians are still doing badly. Although G. L. Gaylard’s Black Orpington has not laid during the week, she still maintains the lead In this bgeed. In the Light Sussex H. Kirkwood’s bird is still well ahead of her competitors. In the Rhode Island Red section C. C. Cleaver’s hen has laid the possible for the week. In the White Wyandotte section A. Gibbons's bird maintains her lead, and is also ahead of all other competitors in the heavy breeds. In the duck section V. L. Gane’s duck is putting up a wonderfud record, and tor the third time has laid six eggs for the week. She is 13 eggs ahead of her nearest competitor. The White Runners are not laying as well as their sister variety, the leading bird being 34 eggs behind the leading Fawn and White duck.

PERSONAL NOTES Fanciers will be interested to know that Mr. Geo. Duckworth, the brilliant Lancashire wicketkeeper, who is a member of the English cricket team at present touring Australia, is a keen poultry fancier, also a breeder of Wyandottes and Old English pheasant fowls. Mr. Duckworth is a member of a wellknown family of fanciers, several of whom are known to the writer. One of Mr. Duckworth's uncles is a member of the Christchurch police force. The London “Times” has described Mr. Duckworth as the most agile wicketkeeper since Strudwick, and we feel sure fanciers will watch with interest his doings with the English cricket team in Australia. Mr. Maxwell. Waikaukau Road. Glen Eden, has taken a three-acre block on the West Coast Road, Oratiawhere he intends going in for poultry farming on a more extensive scaleMr. Maxwell w‘as at one time wen known as a fancier In the Avondale district. Mr. M. E. Simich, who is well known in Auckland business circles, and who some time ago acquired a 10-acre block of land at Oratia, has a grand flock oi White Leghorns, also a fine lot ot chickens. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT Roscoe, Marton: In many cases wry is due to spinal trouble and in suen . cumstances it is strongly hereditary, » a sure sign of weak constitution, sometimes arises from injury sustain or from over growth when young, S el *f h ally caused by high feeding and too mu , confinement. Nourishing—but not anin —food, a large run,, and abundance fresh green vegetables are the best pr ventives. Again, it may be the res of careless in-breeding. The defect, course, may only be temporary. arl ®‘ '_ from the bird having been packed or co* fined for a long time in a low or sn * box or basket, compelling undue pression or turning around of the sideways for days.