EARLY HATCHING 39 



the late ones for your own hatches is poor policy, 

 and is bound to result in a loss to the plant. 



A word of advice to those who hatch with hens. 

 Avoid having too many small flocks of chicks, of 

 various ages and sizes. It is unwise for any one to 

 so plan his hatching and brooding as to be com- 

 pelled to look after a dozen or more flocks consisting 

 of six to twelve chicks each. It is evidence of lack 

 of system and results in saddling upon oneself a 

 greater amount of work to properly look after such 

 flocks. 



The fact of the matter is a person can take care 

 of a flock of twenty-five as easily and as quickly as 

 a flock of ten. Wherever possible combine small 

 flocks of the same sizes and ages. 



It takes planning ahead to bring about this result, 

 but such things can be easily accomplished by setting 

 a number of hens at the same time. Do not attempt 

 to combine flocks with decided differences in sizes, 

 for the smaller ones are bound to be at a great 

 disadvantage, which will result undoubtedly in 

 stunting them for the balance of their lives. 



Do not overcrowd your breeding stock at this 

 season of the year; give them plenty of room, exer- 

 cise, and sunshine. Do not force their laying 

 capacity. What you want now is fertile eggs. It 

 is not now a question of how many eggs your hens 

 lay, but are those eggs fertile and hatchable? Will 

 they bring forth good strong chicks with lots of 



