Rural School Leaflet 



841 



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

 or girl to do. It will also prpve 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 sHght task. We need 

 education for this as well as for other hues 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 

 34 



Sitliu^ hens should be separated from 'he rest of 

 the Jlock and placed in some quiet, cool retreat 



