44 THE BEGINNER IN POULTRY 



the process on the next afternoon, just before dusk, 

 and each day thereafter until she goes back of her own 

 accord. Then leave the box facing outward, and after 

 one more day she may safely have the real eggs which 

 she is to incubate. If you give her the good eggs when 

 first moved, it is your risk. 



If the nests are in a series, the procedure is the same, 

 except that the box cannot readily be faced toward the 

 wall. In such cases we throw a loosely woven phos- 

 phate or feed bag over the front of the nest. Should 

 the hen prove obstinate, it may become necessary to 

 use a board to shut her in ; or, the series can be made 

 with a wire netting front, which opens as a door, all in one 

 piece. This is probably the best plan, for one then 

 knows just where his sitters are, all the time. If the 

 nests are of separate boxes, with board floors, I usually 

 throw in two spadefuls of fine moist earth before adding 

 the generous armful of soft hay, which makes the best 

 nest. I often use excelsior, but this makes a very poor 

 nest unless one is careful to pull and fluff it till there is 

 not a knot or lump left. Any bunch in the bottom of 

 the nest makes much trouble. The rim of the nest is 

 very important. The hen likes it high, so that she may 

 snuggle deep into it. This is good, if one does not make 

 it so high that she tends to break eggs when returning 

 to the nest after absence. 



Again I say, study the hens. Knowledge of their 

 habits and likings will help you out of nearly every diffi- 

 culty. Lack of it will keep you always an unskillful 

 poultryman. Individuals will be exceptions that prove 

 the rule ; but as a flock, the birds will have the same 

 general tendencies. 



