296 POULTRY BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT 



the chicks may be "doubled up." For an average hen, 

 13 eggs are enough for a sitting. 



Dust the hen with insect powder when taking her off 

 the nest. Examine the heads of the chicks two or three 

 days after hatching, and if lice are found, rub a little lard 

 on the head and under the throat. If the hen has been 

 properly treated for lice while sitting, there will be no 

 necessity for treating the chicks for lice. But watch them. 



Moistening the eggs before hatching is not necessary. 



HEN BROODING AT OREGON STATION 



The hen attends to that herself. Keep the hen and chicks 

 on clean grass runs if possible. If properly managed, the 

 hen may be got to laying after being with the chicks two 

 or three weeks. In warm weather the chicks may be 

 "weaned" when a month old. 



Feed the sitters corn or wheat, all they will eat, and pro- 

 vide grit, water, and a little green food. Provide also a 

 box of earth for dusting ; earth should not be too dry. 



The hen will usually hatch best in a nest on the ground, 

 but the ground should not be too hard. Cover it with 

 chaff, or short straw or hay. If the hen is set on a board 



