230 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



breeds as Cochins, Wyandottes, etc., seem inclined to sit and would 

 make good mothers, they may be used, providing chickens are wanted at 

 that time. It is claimed that the hen's time is too valuable to waste in 

 sitting, but if she is properly cared for while broody, it will serve as a 

 resting period, and she will probably lay about as many eggs in the 

 year as she would if confined to the coop for a few days to break up the 

 desire to incubate. After a hen has hatched and reared a brood of 

 chicks she will usually begin laying again and apparently seem to trj^ to 

 make up for lost time. It is a mistake to kill a hen just because she 

 raised a brood of nice chicks. She probably will be one of the best lay- 

 ers the next winter. Some hens, however, seem to be chronic sitters; 

 these are of little value for anything but hatching chicks and might as 

 well be killed if they are not wanted for that purpose. Such hens de- 

 velop but few eggs at a time and can never make a good year's record. 



BREEDS ADAPTED TO INCUBATION. 



The question of the relative merits of the different breeds as sitters 

 often arises. There is much difference of opinion on this subject and 

 also a great difference in the individual hens themselves. In general, 

 however, the Cochins and Wvandottes make verv good sitters. Some 

 may prefer Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, etc., but we believe 

 that no other breeds are as nicely feathered for incubation purposes as 

 the Wyandottes and Cochins. It is generally conceded that Leghorns, 

 Minorcas and others of the special egg producing breeds do not make 

 good mother hens. Some of these make good sitters, but far too many 

 will prove worthless for the purpose. 



THE NEST. 



In the first place one should select a good location for the sitting 

 hen. When they are located where others can lay in with them, trouble 

 is sure to occur, as they generally quarrel over the nest, thus breaking 

 and soiling the eggs. Therefore, it is essential to secure a place where 

 there cannot be any possibility of disturbance. The nest may be made 

 of soft hay sprinkled with sulphur and powdered tobacco stems, or 

 some other good insect powder to prevent the ravages of lice. After 

 nightfall select those hens that have been sitting steadily for a few 

 days and remove them to the prepared nests. If they do not settle down 

 contentedly at first do not entrust them with eggs, until safe to do so. 

 Some hens prove too cranky to be profitable even though they do not 

 cease incubation entirely, or spoil the nest of eggs; they should be 

 taken off the nest and fed once or twice to test their dispositions. If 

 they go back on the nest of their own accord it-is safe to entrust them 

 with eggs. If they do not go back at the end of half an hour, catch and 

 place them gently on the nest. Some hens learn to go back quickly and 

 take their own nest, while others are very slow. 



A very serviceable nest is made by cutting a door in the side of a 

 barrel and hinging it fast with liglit hinges or straps. Place old news- 

 papers on the bottom and then make a nice firm nest of soft hay. IJe 

 sure and make the nest so large that the eggs will not pile up on each 

 other under the hen, but not large enough to allow them to roll aAvay 

 from hor body. The top of the barrel can then be covered with boards, 



