v. P HE AS A XT REARING (PART IV) 83 



the common barndoor farmyard hens of small size 

 are as good as any. The great thing in hens is 

 the use of quiet and lame ones, and the ordinary 

 farmyard are just as good sitters and mothers 

 as any fancy and perhaps costly breed you can 

 select. 



The sitting hens require fresh air, rest, and food 

 daily. In case covered runs as in fig. 15 are not 

 employed, take the hens at noon fjcntlji off their 

 nests being careful in doing so no eggs are adhering 

 under their wings and tether them to small pegs., 

 each hen in front of her own box or coop, as it is 

 important there should be no mistake in returning 

 the hens to their particular nests. 



When the hens are securely tethered, feed them 

 on barley, wheat, or Indian corn, with some scalded 

 meal thrice a week as a change. You need not give 

 water ; it is true the hens may drink it if offered, 

 but they will do just as well without, and much 

 trouble is thereby saved. 



In very dry weather steep their corn in water and 

 serve it out wet ; the hens will thus obtain sufficient 

 moisture. 



As hens are very subject to vermin in the form 

 of insects, and as these pests have an irritating effect 

 on their temper and hence on the satisfactory hatching 

 of their eggs, give them some sand or fine cinders to 

 dust in when tethered out ; or when in their runs, if 

 such are used ; and a sprinkling of insecticide on 



o 2 



