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THE PEOPLE S PRACTICAL POULTRY BOOK. 



be obviated, and each chicken allowed to get its equal amount of food with 

 the others. If the incubator is not used for hatching eggs, as we have said 

 before, the artificial mother will be found to be a very useful appendage to 

 the poultry yard, in more ways than one. As soon as the chickens are 

 hatched out, say in about twenty-four hours, take them from the hen and put 

 them into the artificial mother. Then place the hen back into the pen, in 

 readiness to perform, in a few days, her ordinary functions in laying. 



PERSPECTIVE SECTION OF A PORTABLE ARTIFICIAL HEN. 



The engraving herewith given is taken from Gey elites Poultry Breeding, 

 and described as follows : A is a glass-covered frame three feet long, fifteen 



PERSPECTIVE SECTION OF A PORTABLE ARTIFICIAL HEN. 



inches wide, two feet high at the apex, and twelve inches at the rise of the 

 glass frame. This forms a dry run in wet and cold weather, c is an air-flue 

 across the frame for the necessary ventilation, and formed of perforated zinc. 

 At each end of this flue a ventilator is fixed, by which the admission of air 

 cati be regulated according to the temperature of the atmosphere. It will be 

 apparent that chickens are not exposed to draught by this arrangement of 

 ventilation, d is a frame lined with long fleece, under which the chickens 

 will roost the same as under the wings of a hen, and will even prefer the 

 artificial mother, as I have ascertained by experience, e is about one inch 

 deep of ashes, which may be sprinkled over with flour of sulphur. They 

 make a dry and warm footing, and retain the heat ; but they should be re- 

 newed or sifted once a week. /, the floor, should be slightly covered with 

 sand, and renewed every day. g is a small door, communicating with the 

 open run. A is a glass frame, made to open by means of a slide or by hinges. 

 B is the moveable open run, six feet long, fifteen inches wide, and twelve 

 inches high. It is made of galvanized iron wire, which not only keeps the 

 chickens from danger, but also prevents them from roaming. The artificial 

 mother, being portable, should be taken in-doors every afternoon during the 

 cold weather, and in the daytime should be placed on grass or dry land. The 

 run should be made of small mesh, rat-proof wire. 



GRAVES' ARTIFICIAL MOTHER. 



This engraving represents one of the most approved artificial mothers of 

 the present day, in fact, we believe,* the best yet in use or invented. It is a 



