1 13 2 Rural School Leaflet 



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 box, then enough bright 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 that we can do is to have things as 

 well prepared for her comfort as we can. Plenty of whole grain (corn 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 remaining eggs are hatched. If the hen is quiet it is best not to 

 disturb h or while the eggs are hatching. The nest box must be deep 

 enough to prevent the chickens from jumping out. 



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

 success with the eggs. 



IV. BROODING AND CARE OF CHICKENS 



Clara M. Nixon 



When the eggs arc 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 that you have prepared for them. 



The coop. — The coop should be large enough to permit the hen to move 

 about, and high enough for her to stand comfortably in it. 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 



