166 POULTRT-CRAFT. 



232. Selecting Hens for Sitters. As has been said, results in general, 

 depend on the operator more than on the method. In using the natural 

 method, the operator has an early opportunity to display good judgment in 

 the selection of the hens to be used for sitters. Not all hens make good 

 sitters. Not all that have done well through the period of incubation, can be 

 trusted to bring out the chicks and nurse the broods. A hen that is not in 

 fair condition neither thin nor grossly fat, or that does not feel hot to the 

 hand when handled (with the hand under the body, and the fingers touching 

 the skin), or that will not allow herself to be handled freely, after dark, at 

 least, should not be used. * Nor should a hen with a vicious disposition be 

 used ; a point of prime importance in this method is to use hens that are easily 

 managed. 



There is a general prejudice against large heavy hens as sitters, because 

 eggs are so often broken by them. It is, to say the least, questionable whether 

 that prejudice is well founded. The large hens are usually very gentle and 

 quiet, deliberate in their movements. When they break eggs with good 

 shells, it is because they are lousy, or because suitable nests have not been 

 provided for them. If their nests are roomy, easy to walk into and from, 

 there will be little trouble with clean hens breaking good eggs. There are 

 some hens of all sizes that are nervous, excitable, and break eggs constantly. 

 Very small hens are not desirable sitters in cold weather. 



233. Where to Set the Hens. When only a few hens are set each 

 year, the nests can be placed almost anywhere that the hens will be free from 

 annoyances. When more than three or four are to be sitting at one time, it is 

 best to provide special quarters for them. Fig. 39, shows a good arrange- 

 ment for a small plant, one which relieves the operator of the trouble of 

 moving the hens to new nests. On large plants, where hens are used for 

 hatching, the usual arrangement is to set them in the surplus stock pens, or 

 in pens from which the laying stock has been removed. Whatever plan is 

 adopted, it is important to have the sitters at one of the most accessible parts 

 of the plant, and all near together. 



234. The Nests should be like those shown in Figs. 37 and 38. (This 

 is not absolutely necessary, but a nest with a front just high enough to retain 



* NOTE. Some shy hens lose their shyness when broody. Others cannot at first be 

 touched by daylight. If their services are needed for hatching, it is quite an easy matter 

 to win the confidence of such hens, and make them quiet enough to handle. All that is 

 necessary is to approach them cautiously, coming near and putting the hand as close as 

 they will allow without leaving the nest, then withdrawing it before they have quite made 

 up their minds to fly. Continue this at convenient intervals until, finding they are not 

 to be hurt, they remain quiet, and at length allow themselves to be handled. It takes a 

 little patience, and a few minutes daily for several days. Too many poultry keepers try 

 to subdue their hens by main strength and awkwardness principally awkwardness. In 

 no case should a hen that cannot be handled, be set, not if the keeper wants to manage 

 things himself. 



