WHERE TO SET THE HEN 315 



this is usually in April. Several signs will enable one to pick out 

 the broody hen. The first thing noted is her persistent sitting 

 upon the nest after laying. The non-broody hen will leave imme- 

 diately after laying and is easily disturbed when she is laying, 

 while the reverse is true of the broody hen. Other distinctive signs 

 are the looseness of the feathers on the breast, and the viciousness 

 with which the sitting hen will attack the poultryman when he 

 attempts to remove her from the nest or to search for eggs. There 

 is also a tendency to ruffle up the feathers, and when on the nest 

 to sit close with wings outspread. Another characteristic is the 

 increased body heat, which can be felt by placing the hand under 

 the breast. This is a natural phenomenon brought about by an 

 increased flow of blood into that part during this period. The best 

 time to pick out a broody hen is in the late afternoon, since birds 

 rarely lay their eggs later than two or three o'clock in the after- 

 noon, and after this time all hens on the nest show more or less 

 broodiness. 



When to Set the Hen. When hens are used for incubation, 

 the time at which they can be most safely depended upon is during 

 the natural hatching season in the spring. Any birds with a well- 

 developed broody tendency, and of a breed which can be depended 

 upon, can be safely used for hatching. At this time the percentage 

 of loss due to fickleness and other causes will be reduced to the 

 minimum. 



Where to Set the Hen. There are two methods of arranging 

 nests for natural hatching, and a choice will depend almost wholly 

 upon the breeds to be used and the number of eggs to be hatched. 

 One can use either a large, specially constructed house for sitting 

 or a small coop of suitable type. The large sitting houses are 

 adapted to natural hatching when carried on extensively. Usually 

 these are large rooms in houses of simple construction. Have them 

 water-tight and free from wind, but well ventilated. One of the 

 best types is the shed-roof structure, with the entire front closed 

 only with wire. The inside of the house is equipped with tier 

 upon tier of large, roomy nests for the hens. Hens are allowed, 

 at regular intervals, to get down on the ground to scratch and eat. 

 This method reduces labor to a minimum, and enables one man 

 to take care of a great many sitting hens. 



The second method, or the use of special shelters, is merely 

 the placing of such coops in a secluded place; preferably in the 

 lee of a windbreak, in any place protected by buildings, or on the 



