318 NATURAL INCUBATION AND BROODING 



inclination well developed. This can be ascertained by watching 

 her before making the selection. (See p. 314). (3) The temper 

 of the bird should be observed. While some viciousness is desirable, 

 since it is an indication of broodiness and reveals the maternal 

 instinct to brood and protect, yet hens with this characteristic 

 highly developed do not all make good sitters, for in their attempts 

 to fight they are apt to break or crack the eggs. Those of a nervous, 

 flighty disposition should not be selected. (4) The next considera- 

 tion should be that of health and general condition. No bird 

 should be selected that does not show plenty of fat, or which does 

 not indicate by a bright red comb and bright eyes that she is in 

 good vigor Any hen with a tendency to disease, especially diar- 

 rhoea, should be discarded. The brooding period is at best a 

 heavy strain on the bird, and she needs a vigorous constitution at 

 the beginning in order to perform her function. It is poor policy 

 to use a hen more than once the same season. (5) The age of the 

 bird is also to be considered. Pullets do not make as good sitters 

 as yearlings or two-year-old hens, and when possible the latter 

 should be used. (6) Where selection can be made from one or 

 more breeds, it is wise to make the first choice from a strain known 

 to possess the broody instinct in a high degree. For example, it 

 is known that in the general-purpose breeds this instinct is highly 

 developed, and of all this group the Rhode Island Reds are con- 

 ceded to exhibit it in the most extreme degree. 



Process of Setting the Hen. — It is best to take the bird from 

 the laj^ing nest at night, as it can then be done more conveniently 

 and there is less danger of frightening her. At night the hen takes 

 more naturally to new surroundings. Having selected the bird, 

 she should be thoroughly dusted with a good lice powder, working 

 it well into the plumage, especially under the wings, breast, and 

 body. Previous to setting the hen, the nest should be shaped and 

 the eggs placed in it. It is well to set her on false or china eggs 

 for a day or two in order to test her and see how she takes to new 

 conditions; this often prevents broken eggs and ruined nests. By 

 this method, too, the hen herself will, in great measure, shape the 

 nest, and one need not be so careful in making the nest previous 

 to setting her. She should be placed on the nest very cautiously, 

 letting her feel the eggs underneath before releasing her. For a 

 few days it is best to confine her in the nest, so that there will be 

 no danger of her forsaking it. 



Number of Eggs. — When putting the eggs in the nest, no more 



