56 CAGE OR COOP ARTIFICIAL MOTHER. 



part of the lid. Such is their mode of nestling under 

 the hen, and which is absolutely necessary to their 

 comfort and even their existence. A curtain of 

 flannel was suspended over the opening of the box. 



A WICKER CAGE OR COOP, surrounding the above 

 box and artificial mother, which will entirely confine 

 the chickens to its circumference, is a great conveni- 

 ence in bad weather, or for the purpose of separation : 

 indeed, a coop of that kind for a hen and brood is 

 always useful. One discovery we made in the attempt 

 at artificial hatching, namely, that young chicks are 

 injured by being placed upon a BOARDED FLOOR ; 

 it is too cold and chilling for them, the feet and legs 

 appearing swollen, as if from chilblains. Dry earth 

 is their proper floor. 



Mr. Young recommends the following plan of an 

 artificial mother, and the experimenter may make his 

 election between the two, or improve on them both at 

 his discretion. 



" Five broods may at once be cherished under an 

 artificial mother. This mother may be framed of a 

 board ten inches broad, and fifteen inches long, 

 resting on two legs in front, two inches in height, and 

 on two props behind, two inches also in height. The 

 board must be perforated with many small gimblet 

 holes, for the escape of the heated air, and lined with 

 lamb's skin dressed with the wool on, and the woolly 

 side is to come in contact with the chickens. 



" Over three of these mothers a wicker-basket is 

 to be placed, for the protection of the chickens, four 

 feet long, two feet broad, and fourteen inches high, 

 with a lid open, a wooden sliding bottom to draw 



