POULTRY FOR PROFIT 49 



Nest Boxes 



Fourteen or fifteen inches square is the best size 

 for a nest box, but if it is longer than wide it will 

 do quite as well. A cracker box is exactly the right 

 size, but an apple box answers very well. It is bet- 

 ter to use new boxes each season, but a box that 

 has never been infested with mites may be used 

 again if it has been thoroughly washed and painted 

 with kerosene and carbolic acid. A box which the 

 mites have once found is never safe afterward. 



When you are sure that the box is clean, fill the 

 bottom with moist dirt, enough to shape out a good- 

 sized nest, and cover with straw, hay or excelsior. 

 Both the comfort of the hen and the success of the 

 hatch depend in no small measure on the shape and 

 depth of the nest. 



Setting the Hen 



Night is the time for setting hens. After the hen 

 has commenced to show signs of broodiness, she 

 should be left on the old nest for a couple of days. 

 The second night, after dark, transfer her gently 

 to the new nest, put a couple of dummy eggs under 

 her, and cover her with another box, taking care to 

 leave plenty of ventilation. Leave her covered 

 twenty-four hours, then, if she remains on the nest 

 after being uncovered, or comes off and goes back, 

 she is ready for the eggs. If she comes off and 

 returns to the old nest, cover her up again and let 

 her sit on the dummy eggs another twenty-four 

 hours. Nothing is ever gained by hurrying a sit- 

 ting hen, and you may spoil your hatch by attempt- 

 ing it. 



Fifteen eggs are generally sold as a setting, but 

 it is only a large hen that can cover so many, and 



