Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/215

 I ■ be fractured, the egg - drawer should be kept closed for twenty- four hours, after which it may be opened, and any empty shells and chickens removed. The latter should be placed in the drying- chamber fitted to the machine. Having replaced the egg-drawer, it should remain closed for another twenty-four hours, when all the chickens should be out. In the event of any live eggs failing to hatch out on the twenty- first day, it will sometimes be found necessary to help the chickens out of the shells. This is an operation which requires considerable care. Before it is undertaken, however, the eggs which remain unpipped should be immersed for a minute or so in water warmed to loo^. This will have the effect of soften- ing the lining membranes, and give the little prisoners a better chance of effecting their release. Should this fail, proceed as follows. Make a small puncture with a penknife in the large end of the egg, exposing the air-space, wherein, if the chicken possesses any vitality, its beak should be visible. This will admit air to its lungs, and should enable it to emerge without further assistance. Instances have been known where incubation has been retarded from various reasons for as long as three days ; but these chickens are, as a rule, poor weaklings, which it is a waste of time to attempt to rear. The chickens should remain in the drying - chamber until dry, which should be in about twelve hours, after which, if they are to be sent to customers as " day- olds," they should be packed and quickly put on rail, as advised in my previous article. Before leaving this subject, there are a few vital hints which may be introduced to emphasise or supple- ment the preceding remarks. Let it be borne in mind that, in order to succeed with artificial incubation, the main points to be observed are : (i) The selection of the incubator ; (2) the selection of the eggs ; (3) the ventilation of the egg-chamber in the incubator ; (4) the regulation of temperature ; and (5) turning the eggs twice daily while in process of incubation. Some Causes of Failure Too much curiosity and anxiety is the cause of many failures. The most difficult part of the operation ii. to abstain from interference with the egg-drawer. Just at the time when they are coming out of the How a recently laid egg looks when viewed by means of the lamo A fertile egg on seventh day of incubation An unfertile egg at the same stage A fertile egg on the fourteenth day Chicken ready to come out Chicken coming out Copyright, Chas. H. Hearson WOMAN'S WORK shell changes of temperature in the incubator are fatal to young chicks. It is well known that when a hen is on the nest, engaged in hatching, nothing will induce her to expose the eggs after she is aware that the chicks are coming out. She will leave the eggs at other times to get food and water, but not while the chicks are hatching. So soon as the eggs begin to hatch, therefore, close the drawer and keep it closed until as many of the chicks are out as can be expected. Inquisitive neighbours who wish to be gratified should be told that they cannot be accommodated. Keep the drawer shut and have patience. The result will be more satisfactory than would be the case if the chicks were exposed to changes occasionally. Finally, there is one other danger to which chickens hatched in in- cubators have been found liable, and to which those hatched under hens are strangers. It has been found that some chicks are de- formed without any apparent reason. This, it is now believed, is caused by too hasty movements of the egg-drawer when it is opened to air the eggs. If the drawer is pushed back hastily the eggs are jarred, and the members of the embryo chick are Hable to be jolted out of place. Gentle handling will prove a sufficient safeguard against any such risk. In regard to the operation of in- cubators generally, and the avoid- ance of failure with such machines, it must be borne in mind that all machines are not operated in pre- cisely the same manner, and this makes it important that the novice should not only be acquainted thoroughly with what has been previously written, but that she should make a point of studying carefully the particular instruc- tions issued with the make of machine she is called upon to work. In the first two articles of this series I have indicated the way in which money may be made out of day-old chicks, and I venture to hope that the details given are sufficiently intelligible to make the methods clear to the veriest tyro. Arising out of the production of chickens artifically comes the question of rearing them, and how to accomplish this successfully by means of a brooder I shall en- deavour to make plain in my next article. Any particulars about the Victoria Government Emigration, etc.. can be obtained from the Agent- General. Melbourne Place. Strand. London. W.C. To be continued.