THE EGGS AND HATCHING APPLIANCES. 27" 



by chance get hold of a hen that is a " very warm, 

 member/' and she may hatch out in twenty-two days ;, 

 but this is a rarity, and need hardly be calculated for.. 



The day the chickens are expected, if you do not 

 use an incubator, the hen should be well fed with 

 hard food so as to preclude the possibility of her 

 becoming restless in consequence of hunger, while 

 the eggs are hatching. They should after hatching 

 have a quiet period with their mother, as alluded to- 

 later on ; during this time they are perfectly inde- 

 pendent of meat, as they are full of the yolk which 

 immediately before hatching passes through the navel 

 into their bodies. 



Eggs that have not been kept very long after being 

 laid before being set under the hens, will hatch 

 sooner than those that have remained a longer time 

 without the application of warmth. It is therefore 

 highly desirable to have your hens all steady and 

 quiet to take the eggs immediately upon arrival ; and 

 they are pretty sure to be fresh, the larger game 

 farms keeping so many hen pheasants penned up that 

 they are able without difficulty to send out their eggs 

 almost newly laid. Be sure when feeding your hens 

 to see that there is an earthen saucer of nice fresh 

 water easily within the reach of every one of your 

 feathered assistants ; and feed whilst sitting on 

 maize, barley, and meal made into paste, with a little 

 green food. Take particular notice as to which of 

 your hens turn their own eggs ; if any do not, you 



