178 



CANADIAN FARM YEAR BOOK. 



should not be subjected to high or 

 low temperatures. 



In cold weather place from 10 to 

 13 eggs under the hen; in warm 

 weather from 13 to 15. 



Always test the hen on china or 

 nest eggs before setting. 



Given proper care and attention, 

 the hen is the most valuable incu- 

 bator for the farmer. 



Use insect powder freely to exter- 

 minate lice when necessary. 



February, March, and April are 

 the best months for hatching. 



If several hens are set in one 

 room, it is desirable to confine them 

 in good nests. 



Straw and hay make good nesting 

 material. 



Broody hens should be moved to 

 the permanent sitting nest at night. 



Whole corn is a good feed for sit- 



Brooder lamps should be cleaned 

 every day. 



A record should be kept of each 

 hatch, showing the date set, number 

 and kind of eggs, number tested out, 

 and the chickens hatched. 



Chicks should not receive feed 

 until they are 36 hours old. 



In cool weather 10 to 13 chicks are 

 sufficient for one hen, while in warm- 

 er weather 15 to 20 can be cared 

 for successfully. 



Never mix chicks of different ages. 



Confine the hen .until the chicks 

 are weaned. 



The coop for hen and chicks should 

 be well ventilated, easy to clean, 

 and of sufficient proportions to in- 

 sure comfort. 



The early hatched pullet is the 

 one that begins to lay early in the 

 fall, when eggs are high in price. 



A Very Gocwi Feeder. 

 Note the Short, Thick Neck. 



A Poorer Type of Feeder. 

 Note Crow-like Shape. 



ting hens. Water, grit, and dust 

 baths should also be provided. 



All eggs should be tested by the 

 seventh day, which often makes it 

 possible to reset some of the hens. 



Toe-mark the chicks as soon as 

 they are hatched. This enables one 

 to tell their ages later. 

 ■ Powder the chicks occasionally 

 during the first eight weeks. 



Start the brooder a day or two 

 before putting in the chicks to see 

 that the heating apparatus is work- 

 ing properly. 



The cockerel that can be marketed 

 as a broiler in March or April brings 

 more money than the one marketed 

 in June. 

 Poultry Houses and Fixtures. 



Select a location that has natural 

 drainage away from the building. 



A dry, porous soil, such as sand 

 or gravelly loam, is preferable to a 

 clay soil. 



In most localities the building 

 should face the south, as this in- 

 sures the greatest amount of sun- 

 light during the winter. 



