PHEASANTS IN COVERT AND AVIARY 



coops, so that the keeper can identify the various broods 

 together with the dates on which the eggs were set. The 

 number of eggs put down at one time varies, but for a single- 

 handed keeper from two hundred and fifty to three hundred 

 and fifty will be sufficient. 



If cross-bred fowls are used, for three hundred and 

 fifty eggs not less than thirty broody hens should be pur- 

 chased, it being expedient to have an extra number to meet 

 emergencies. 



Hens that refuse to leave the nest during sitting must 

 be gently lifted off. Plenty of materials for dusting, such 

 as dry sand, ashes, together with a small supply of green 

 food, are additional requisites when the sitters temporarily 

 leave their nests. When there are no feeding vards in 

 connection with the hatching-boxes, it is necessary to tether 

 the hens to pegs, about a yard apart, so as to prevent them 

 from fighting with each other, because broody hens are 

 nearly always quarrelling with each other when allowed 

 full liberty. One end of the tether is fastened to the fowl's 

 leg and the other to the peg, but care must be taken not 

 to have the loop on the leg too tight, otherwise damage will 

 be done. If a broody hen is inclined to forsake her eggs, 

 the best plan is to get rid of her, and either put the eggs 

 under other hens or substitute another broody hen. 



It is not advisable to interfere with the eggs too much, 

 but one can assist nature by the e.xercise of tact. Frequent 

 handling of the eggs is decidedly injurious, and so is constant 

 testing of them. They can be tested on the eighth or tenth 

 day, and all clear eggs removed ; but a broody hen does not 

 like to be continually disturbed by man. If she is at all 

 uneasy she should be lifted off the nest and given a good 

 dusting with some flowers of sulphur and then replaced. 



In some game-rearing establishments the sitters are 



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