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A Weekly Page of Poultry Hints to You
Here is a Department Full of Bright Ideas For Readers of the Home and Farm Magazine Section.
HOME AND FARM MAGAZINE SECTION
The following is the first of a
series of articles by Harry M.
Lamon, Senior Animal Husband
man in Poultry Investigations,
Animal Husbandry Division of
Bureau of Animal Industry of
tho United States Department of
Agriculture, on the natural and
artificial incubation of henB'
egg".
IN TAKING up the problems of in
cubation, a brief study of an "egg
will help us to understand the rea
sons for some of the rules for handling
eggs during incubation. The shell of an
egg is porous, consisting of an outer
and an inner layer, under which are two
membranes, separated at the large end
of the egg, which form an air cell. This
air space, -which is about as largo as a
10-cent picco in a fresh egg, increases
in size directly in proportion to the
evaporation in tho egg. Under these
membranes and surrounding tho yolk is
the white, or albumen, which contains
78.4 per cent of water, 20 per cent of
protein, and 1.6 per cent of mineral
matter. Two coiled membranous lay
ers of denso albumen, called chalazao,
eonnect tho opposite sides of tho yolk
with each end of tho shell and tend
to lessen its movement and rogulato its
position in the egg. Tho germ spot, or
blastoderm, a Bcmiopaquo spot from
one-eighth to ono-siitecnth of an inch
In diameter, is located on tho upper
surface ox tho yolk and always remains
uppermost in tho egg.
Caro of Eggs for Hatching.
0i r .
mrong, iertiie eggs aro tho prime
essential in gocd hatching; these are
obtained only from stock properly
mated and kept under the best possible
conditions to scenro health and vigor.
Eggs from over-fat breeding stock do
- not usually produce a large percentage
of strong chicks. If breeders are con
fined, they should be fed a varied sup
ply of grains, meat and green feed.
The green feed assists in keeping fowls
In good breeding condition. Frco range
is usually an important factor in the
production of hatchablo eggs, as it is
. much easier to keep up tho vitality of
stock handled in tins manner than in
birds that are yarded. Prom 8 to 12
females of the American or general
purpose class and 12 to 15 of tho Medi
terranean class can be mated with one
male, depending on his ago and vitality
and where tho fowls aro yarded, but
this proportion may bo increased where
tho birds have free range. Abundant
ventilation in the house is also a groat
help in keeping tho stock in good breed
ing condition.
Eggs to Be Discarded.
Abnormal, small, and poorly shaped
eggs should bo discarded. Do not set
eggs which have thin or very porous
appearing shells. Eggs should bo set
when fresh, if possible, and it is not
advisable to use eggs for hatching
which aro over two weeks old, although
stalo eggs will frequontly hatch. So
lecting uniformly largo eggs for hatch
ing, which are of the same color, is one
of the quickest ways to secure uniform
ity in the offspring and increaso the
size of the eggs. Dirty eggs should bo
cleaned by rubbing lightly with a damp
doth, but care should be taken not to
rub off any more of tho natural bloom
of the egg than is absolutely neces
sary. Duek eggs usually require wash
ing, which does not appear to injure
their Latching qualities. Kggs for
batching should be collected two or
ti-reo times a day in, freezing weather
to prevent chilling. Broody hens al
lowed to sit on eggs in the laying nests
all day may hurt the hatching qualities
of tho eggs. Eggs in large numbers arc
generally kc-pt in a cabinet or turning
rack, for convenience in handling, in a
room where tho temperature is between
60 degrees and 60 degrees P., if pos
sible, although they will stand consid
erable variation. It is not necessary to
turn egs kept only for a few days, but
it is advisable to turn eggs daily which
aro over a week old. Various commer
cial turning devices are sold by poultry
supply companies, or the eggs may be
kept in cabinet drawers and shuffled
about with the hands by removing a
few eggs from the trays. Commercial
egg eases are sometimes used for hold
ing eggs for hatching.
Eggs from different varieties of the
same class of poultry may be incu
bated together, but it is not advisable
to mix eggs from the Mediterranean
or egg breeds, such as Leghorns and
Minorcas, with Plymouth Rocks, or
Orpingtons, as the eggs from the small
er breeds often hatch a little earlier
than those from the larger breeds.
Neither the hen nor the incubator will
hatch strong chickens from weak germs
or from eggs which have not received
proper care.
Methods of Packing Hatching Eggs.
Eggs for hatching are shiped ex
tensively over long distances success
fully, but in many cases the shipment
appears to affect the hatch. Setting
eggs for shipment are packed in several
different ways. One of the best meth
ods is to use a common market basket
well lined on tho bottom and sides with
excelsior. After wrapping tho eggs in
a thin layer of paper and enough ex
celsior to make a ball of about 3 inches
in diameter, pack them tightly in the
basket, then put on a covering of excel
sior, and o- er all sew a piece of strong
cotton cloth, or the cloth can bo pushed
up under tho outside rim of the basket
with a case knife. Tho latter method of
fastening tho cloth is much quicker
than tho former and just as effective.
EgKS aro also shipped safely almost
any distance by packing them in a stiff
pasteboard carton or box made for this
purpose, the space around the egg be
ing filled with either chaff or bran.
Buff Cochin Bantams
UFF COCHIN BANTAMS have a
famous pedigree. It dates back to
the breeds originally owned by
Chinese emperors. In fact, they were
first cxportod from Peking when the
Anglo-French expedition, in 1SG0, sack
cd tho summer palaco at that city.
Specimens were taken back to Eng
land, where their similarity to tho large
Cochins led breeders to try to breed
them in duplicate of the larger bird, ex
cept for size. The color was changed in
the process and the number of toes was
reduced from five to four. The result
has boon a complete success.
They are very small, males weigh
ing twenty-six to thirty ounces and fe
males twenty-four to twenty-six ounces.
They aro grca pets, and are heavy lay
eis of fair-sized eggs, considering the
hen 's diminutiveness.
Tho hens get broody, sit and rear
their chicks and are such careful and
successful mothers that there is a
For Heavy Egg Production.
In breeding for heavy egg production,
market purposes or tho show room, it
should ever be kept in mind that tho
primary and most essential character
istic of a good bird must always be a
sound constitution and plenty of vital
ity and vigor. Without theso qualities
it is impossible to have first-class stock.
Constitutional vigor and vitality may
bo put as the second fundamental re
qusite in tho successful practical breed
ing of poultry.
In all kinds of breeding operations,
whether for utility purposes or for the
fancier's show pen, or for tho purpose
of experimentation in the field of,
This package is then placed in a basket,
the bottom and sides of which are lined
with excelsior, and the spaces at either
end of the box are packed with the
same material. On top of this package
is placed more excelsior and all is cov
ered with cloth, as previously men
tioned. Extra stiff cardboard cartons
made to hold from one to several set
tings are used in which to ship eggs.
These cartons or egg boxes are fitted
with a handle for carrying, similar to
tlmt. on a market basket. Bushel
baskets are commonly used to ship
orders of from 10 to 12 sittings of eggs,
the manner of packing and covering be
ing the same as mentioned in the first
method. It is customary to rest eggs
for hatching for about 12 hours after
they are received to allow the germ
to regain its normal position before the
eggs are placed in the incubator.
Period of Incubation.
The period of incubation varies some
what with conditions) so that a hatch
may run one or two days over in some
cases, duo to an accident during incn-
bation or to a low temperature through
out that period, while, on the other
hand, it may come off - earlier. If
through any accident the eggs are
chilled or overheated, it is advisable to
continue the hatch, testing the eggs
after a few days to determine the ex
tent of the damage. Chickens have
been hatched from eggs left out of the
incubator all night, as well as from
eggs which have been subjected to a
temperature of over 110 degrees P. for
short time.
1
steady demand for Cochin Bantam hens
in large numbers to be used by breed
ers of large fowls expressly for use in
rearing chicks.
The Buff Cochin Bantam chick ma
tures rapidly, and fhcre are many, in
stances on record of pullets hatched in
March maturing and laying early and
then becoming broody, sitting; hatching
unu rearing a Drooa of. chicks in the
samo year.
Buff Cochin Bantams should be liter
ally a ball of feathers, rounding in
every section, the legs and feet being
proiuseiy covered; and the soft feath
ers of tho thighs, termed tho fluff, are
so loose ana iuJl as to make them w
ptar to be a continuous mass of feath
ers right down to the ground.
in color thy are rich, golden buff,
the shade of a new gold pieee, and
whenever exhibited, this eolor. eom-
omen wiiii ineir wonaerim snape, is
bound to claim the attertion of all,
heredity, the first selection of birds for
the breeding pen should be made on
the basis of their general constitu
tional vigor. No bird which shows
signs of weakness in this fundamental
regard should ever be used for breeding
under any circumstances. If such a
bird is used the breeder eventually will
have to pay the penalty.
The Care of Eggs.
The perishable nature of an egf is
too little understood. Dampness, heat
about 60 degrees, strong odors, drafts,
delay in marketing, are factors which
very quickly destroy freshness and good
quality of eggs. ,
SUTLER
SEATTLE, WASH.
Under new management enjira)
ehange in all departments all room
redecorated and refurnished. Partica
Iar attention is now being paid to
prompt, efficient and courteous service
DAILY BATES
$2.00 Up With Private Bath
$1.00 Up Without Private Bath
Hotel Butler Cafe
THE FINEST Xk SEATTLE
Service the Best Cuisine Unexcelled
BOBEET 3. BOBIKSON
Manager.
When In Seattle
TRY THE RYE
IT'S NEW
IT'S CLEAN
IT CAN'T BURN
LOCATION IS RIGHT
Only 3 Blocks Prom Depots
and Docks.
THE KATES ARE RIGHT
$1.00 Per Day and Dp.
THE FRYE IS THE RIGHT
HOTEL FOR YOU.
"IT LOOKS UKE A HOTEL"
That's What They AO Bay.
Booms $1.00 per day tip
Rooms with Private bath $2X0 up
HOTEL ACKLY
Corner Twelfth aal Stark BUeeU
Portland, Osegta.
BATES : f2.50 per week en. With mi.
veto bath, $4.60 up.
cusan oirrsrDK ttooira
MODKliN MUCK BUUJHSQ.
Rowland Hotel & Annex
100 BOOMS i
207J-209 Fourth Street. '
One block from Court House.
Electric Lights, Steam Heat, Hot and
UoUt Water.
Bates 75c, $1.00 and $1.50 per day. '
Cheap Weekly Bates.
Hotel Clifford
East Morrison and Sixth Street.
Modern in every detail. Beat of aerriea.
Sates by week from $3 op, by day 50 centi
and up. See the Clifford before going elac
where.
ED. r. BEEVES, Proprietor.
RAINIER HOTEL
POETLAND, OREGON.
Strictly Modern.
Rates. -50c, 75c, 1. Private Bath 41.50
Sixth and Iloyt: only two blocks frosi
1
Hi 3 :
SSBGBSffl SEATTLE (
SEB0BEE53 "STcSl!0
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M! KKOMASrUS
Union Depot.