SETTING HENS AND INCUBATION. 



THE NUMBER OP EGGS TO PUT UNDER A HEN. 



ONE of the most important points to be observed in setting eggs for 

 hatching, is to correctly proportion the number, taking into consideration 

 their size, and the size of the hen about to sit upon them. The state of the 

 weather should also be a guide ; for a hen capable of setting upon and hatch- 

 ing thirteen eggs in June ought not to have more than ten in January. 

 The great error of setting a hen upon more eggs than she can cover is a 

 cause of very general disappointment. We have frequently seen cross-bred 

 game and other small hens set upon thirteen eggs, when it was perfectly clear 

 to us that it would be impossible for them all to receive a proper and equal 

 share of heat from her body. It is absolutely certain, also, that a hen cannot 

 hatch out chickens from those eggs which she cannot draw close up to her 

 body and give to them the natural warmth they require in the process of in- 

 cubation. This has been very clearly demonstrated to us ; for upon one 

 occasion we placed fifteen eggs under a hen, when we ought not at any sea- 

 son to have given more than twelve, or, at the most, thirteen, and while out 

 at feeding time, we examined the nest and found only thirteen eggs left. We 

 at first thought the hen might havo eaten them ; but, after one or two exami 

 nations, we found sometimes thirteen and at others fourteen eggs present. 

 We determined upon catching the hen one morning while off to feed, after 

 finding there were only thirteen eggs in the nest. We cautiously laid hold 

 of her, when she unfortunately dropped one egg and broke it ; upon a further 

 examination we found the other missing egg under her wing. We replaced 

 the egg in the nest and found that she regularly removed one or two of them ; 

 thus it was apparent that she had more eggs under her than the surface of 

 her body could possibly cover by contact. This marvelous fact proved 

 the existence, first, of the beautiful principle we term instinct, and the ardent 

 natural desire for carrying out to the fullest extent the remarkable operation 

 we understand as incubation. 



THE PROPER HENS TO SET. 



A half-breed game or other small hen should be chosen for a natural in- 

 cubator (they have always, with us, proved the best breed) and nine of 

 her own eggs should be the extent ; if a Dorking or a large size mongrel hen 

 be selected, eleven are sufficient ; a Cochin hen of some of the strains we 



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