INCUBATION 243 



varies greatly. Some hens will become broody after laying only 

 six or seven eggs. Usually hens of stock strongly inclined to 

 broodiness will lay from one to two dozen eggs before becoming 

 broody. In strains or stocks in which the broody habit is present, 

 but not strongly established, hens often lay for two, three, or even 

 five or six months without becoming broody. As a rule, increased 

 egg production is accompanied by decrease in broodiness. Among 

 ducks the Pekin and Indian Runner are mostly nonsitters. In geese, 

 turkeys, and the less common kinds of poultry broodiness is general. 



Broodiness is shown first in the inclination of the bird to re- 

 main on the nest after laying, then by a change of attitude toward 

 the keeper, and by a change of voice. Usually birds, unless very 

 tame, are shy about being approached on the nest, and leave it if 

 molested. The broody bird in most cases becomes bold, sometimes 

 vicious, and even if she will not allow herself to be handled on the 

 nest, will plainly show as much anger as fear when molested. Hens 

 and other gallinaceous poultry, when broody, make a clucking 

 noise, which is obviously meant to guide the young and keep them 

 from scattering too widely, and when disturbed give a harsh, warn- 

 ing cry. Female waterfowl, when broody, give a warning hiss, as 

 the male is likely to do at any time when molested. The attitude 

 and voice of the bird are surer indications of broodiness than her 

 remaining on the nest, for sick birds frequently do that. 



When broody hens are to be used for incubating, it is advisable 

 to let them remain for several days on the nests that they have laid 

 in, until broodiness becomes confirmed and they have ceased lay- 

 ing. The duration of broodiness is not (as is popularly supposed) 

 determined or influenced by the time required to incubate the eggs 

 of the bird. Unless broodiness is interrupted by a resumption of 

 egg production, or she is compelled by exhaustion to leave the 

 nest, a bird will remain on eggs until young appear, and may even 

 keep for an indefinite time to a nest containing no eggs. 



System in natural incubation. If more than two or three birds 

 of any kind are set, arrangements for managing them should be 

 systematized. A great deal of the dissatisfaction with natural 

 methods of incubation is due to mismanagement. The sitting 

 hens should always be separated from the rest of the flock and 

 made as secure as possible from disturbing influences of all kinds ; 



