Rural School Leaflet 



1131 



Eggs for hatching should be kept in a moist, cool place not over 50 

 to 6o°, and for not more than a week or ten days if it can be avoided. 

 They should be turned every day or two, and should be kept covered so 

 as to prevent too rapid evaporation. 



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 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 that she has chosen for herself, if it 

 is 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. 



Sitting hens should be separated from the rest of 

 the flock and placed in some quiet, cool retreat 



