556 



THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



contented with her, and they gain strength by the natural heat of her body; but where there 

 is considerable difference in the time of hatching, the hen would be liable to forsake the nest 

 with her little brood before the eggs were all hatched, if the first hatched were not taken 



from her. Heavy hens, like Brahmas and Cochins, would be liable to step on the chicks in 

 the nest and crush them if they remain with her until all are hatched. In all cases, the shells 

 of the eggs hatched should be removed from the nest every few hours during the time of 



