1374 



The Cornell Reading-Courses 





Fig. 15. — Box nest 



house, or any building where hens are set, should be made as nearly like 

 the natural conditions as possible. Hens should be set where laying hens 

 cannot be with them, and where they may have free access to a dust bath, 

 fresh water, and grain. If necessary a small coop may be used, provided 

 it is placed in a shady spot and the hen allowed her freedom or the run of 

 a small yard. The nest should be placed where the hen will have easy 

 access to it, preferably on the floor or ground. If placed on the ground, 

 the bottom of the nest box should be knocked out and the earth under- 

 neath covered with clean straw or leaves. If the nest is elevated or on a 



floor, some dirt may be placed in the 

 bottom, arranged to conform to the 

 hen's body, and covered with a layer 

 of straw. (See Fig. 15.) 



When all is ready the hen and the 

 nest should be thoroughly dusted 

 with lice powder.* The hen should 

 be set on " china eggs " until she 

 becomes accustomed to her new 

 surroundings. If she " settles down to business " at once, the good eggs 

 may be placed under her the following night. It is best to keep her 

 shut in the nest at first to make sure that she does not leave the eggs. 

 In case any eggs are broken in the nest they should be removed at once, 

 and the straw should be replaced by a fresh supply. Should any of the 

 remaining eggs be smeared, they should be washed with warm water. 

 After the eggs have been incubated seven days they may be tested, 

 and those that contain dead germs or that are infertile may be removed. 

 If several hens are set at the same time, the eggs from two hens may often 

 be placed under one, after the undesirable eggs have been removed. In 

 this way, the other hens may be set again or may be placed in a special 

 coop for broody hens. 



Before the chickens are hatched, provision should be made for the hens 

 and their broods. When the chicks are twenty-four to thirty-six hours 

 old they may be removed from the nest and placed in the coops provided 

 for them. 



After the hen and chicks have been removed the nests should be dis- 

 infected and the litter burned. A liquid disinfectant is best for this pur- 

 pose and should be used with a spray ptmip. 



* Directions for making Lawry Lice Powder: This powder may be used very successfully for dusting 

 hens or young chicks. It consists of \ pint crude carbolic acid, f quart gasoline, and 2\ pounds plister 

 of paris. The liquids should be mixed thoroughly before adding the plaster of p iris. The latter should 

 be well mixed with the liquids and rubbed between the hands, then passed through a mosquito wire 

 screen and allowed to dry. Great care should be used in applying this powder, otherwise both hen and 

 chickens may be injured. A small pinch of the powder is sufficient for each fowl. This should be 

 worked in through the feathers, especially about the vent and under the wings. The powder may be 

 kept indefinitely if placed in a tight package. Do not apply the powder for several days after making. 

 Avoid keeping it in a hot place. 



