HATCHING AND BROODING WITH MOTHER HEN 43 



dent in newly placing them and therefore, also, the need 

 for a little " play " of the eggs; if they lie too closely 

 together, it will be difficult to change them about ; if 

 the nest is too large, they will roll too freely. It is wise 

 to let the hen shape the nest well before more than 

 one or two dummy eggs are put in ; then the size which 

 conforms to her body will determine how many she can 

 cover well. All outlying empty corners should be filled 

 with the nesting material. 



Speaking of the dummy eggs reminds me that I have 

 omitted to describe the best way to move the broody 

 hen from the laying house to the sitting apartment. 

 The first, and perhaps the chief point, is to let her grow 

 to be a determined sitter before you attempt to move 

 her. Not even the most experienced handlers can move, 

 with uniform success, hens that are newly broody. Let 

 them remain on the laying nest about two or three days, 

 or till the sitting fever is fully established ; then, having 

 prepared the nest, remove the hen carefully and quietly, 

 just at dusk, to the new location. Give her some dummy 

 eggs, and, if the nest be a detached box, face it toward 

 the wall, leaving only sufficient space to give the bird 

 air. About twenty-three hours later, rotate the box, 

 offer feed and water, and let her come off of her own 

 initiative, if she will do so. If not, take her off. She 

 will then, probably, first become aware that everything 

 has changed ; she is in a strange place ! She will 

 probably cackle, in great consternation, and may attempt 

 to fly out. Do not interfere with her in the least. As 

 dark comes on, she is rather likely to look about, see 

 the eggs, and scramble on to the nest. If not, replace 

 her, and face the box again toward the wall. Repeat 



