y^i^ Rural School Leaflet 



clean hay to make a good nest; the hen will fix the curve of the nest 

 to suit herself. She feels safer in a somewhat dark, secluded place, and 

 it is best to humor her. 



Care of the hen. — The hen has undertaken a very confining task, which 

 will last three weeks. This is a long time. For twenty-one days and 

 nights the patient hen must stay in almost the same position. If you 

 do not think this is tiresome, watch her when she first comes off the nest. 

 She can scarcely stand. The least we can do is to have things as well 

 prepared for her comfort as we can. Plenty of whole grain (com and 

 wheat are best), clean, fresh water, grit, and a dust bath should be placed 

 where she can reach them, and she should be allowed to exercise every day 

 if she wishes. Be sure to dust a little insect powder into her feathers 

 occasionally. This is a wise precaution, even if you do not find any lice. 

 In case she should break an egg, clean up the nest as well as you can, and 

 wash off the badly smeared eggs in lukewarm water. They will not be 

 likely to hatch if not cleaned. 



If the hen seems irritable when the eggs begin to hatch, the oldest 

 chickens may be taken from the nest as soon as they try to get from under 

 the hen, wrapped in a piece of flannel, and kept in a warm place until the 

 others are out. This will keep the hen more quiet, and she will not be likely 

 to kill the younger chickens in the nest, or to leave the nest before the re- 

 maining eggs are hatched. If the hen is quiet, it is best not to disturb her 

 while the eggs are hatching. The nest box must be deep enough to pre- 

 vent the chickens from jumping out. 



With careful attention to the instruction given, you should have good 

 success with the eggs. 



iv. brooding and care of the chickens 



Clara M. Nixon 



When the eggs are hatched, as they should be by the end of the twenty- 

 first day, take the hen and chickens from the nest and put them in the 

 coop you have prepared for them. 



I The coop. — The coop should be large enough so that the hen can move 

 about, and high enough so that she will not strike her head. If it has no 

 floor, set the coop on a platform of boards. This will help to keep out 

 the rats and weasels, as well as to keep the coop dry. The separate floor 

 is more easily cleaned and dried. The coop should be slatted in front, 

 but closed on the other sides; it should have a roof that will keep out the 

 rain. It should face the south and be placed on clean land on which no 

 chickens have recently been reared. This is a precaution against disease. 

 Everything should be clean, thoroughly disinfected with a coat of white- 

 wash, and kept dry. Dampness is fatal to young chickens. 



