Rural School Leaflet 



Selecting eggs for hatching is interesting and useful work for any boy 

 or girl to do. It will also prove profitable work. How many will do it 

 and do it well? 



iii. hatching the eggs 



Clara M. Nixon 



Every one who has tried to set and care for a hen so that a good brood 

 of healthy chickens will hatch, knows that it is no slight task. We need 

 education for this as well as for other lines of work. Let us see what we 

 can learn in the following lesson: 



The hen. — You will probably have the hen all ready to receive the eggs 

 when they arrive. She should be of moderate size. If too heavy, she 

 may break the eggs; if too small, she can cover a few only. She should 

 be quiet and peaceable, a hen that may be handled without being fright- 

 ened, and one that is likely to pay strict attention to business. 



Do not trust the hen with valuable eggs until you are sure she intends 

 to sit. It will be better to give her two or three other eggs (china eggs 

 will do) and let her sit on these for two or three days. She will probably 

 be more contented on the nest she has chosen for herself, if it be a suitable 

 one. 



In case you must change the hen to another place, go quietly after dark, 

 lift her gently, and put her on the nest that has been prepared. Give her 

 two or three eggs, one at a time, and let her place them, under her breast 

 as best pleases her. If she clucks contentedly, and snuggles the eggs 

 cozily under her feathers, she will usually sit on this nest. It is best, 

 however, to put a crate or well ventilated box over the nest. The top 

 should be high enough not to disturb her while sitting, but not high enough 

 to allow her to stand comfortably. If she sits quietly for two or three 

 days, she will probably stay, and 

 you may give her the eggs. Keep 

 the crate over her for a few days 

 longer, allowing her to get off the 

 nest every day for exercise, food, 

 and water, but have her go back 

 in a reasonable time. 



The nest. — Have the nest 

 comfortable, clean, and free 

 from lice. It should be large 

 enough for the hen to change 

 her position on the nest and 

 to turn her eggs, but not so 



large that the eggs will move out of the warm hollow under her breast. 

 First, place some earth in the bottom of the box, then enough bright 



Sitting hens should be separated from the rest of 

 the flock and placed in some quiet, cool retreat 



