BREAKING UP A BROODY HEN 139 



confinement she is in most cases more dead than 

 alive, and of course such treatment will affect her 

 vitality. 



Here is a simple and civilized method for break^ 

 ing up a broody hen : When a hen becomes broody 

 let her sit for a few days in order to give her system 

 time to recuperate and at the same time making it 

 easier to get her out of the habit when she is once 

 taken in hand for treatment. After she has had 

 her few days' stay on the nest put her in an airy 

 and roomy coop, the bottom of which is made of 

 strips, with plenty of air space so as to permit ample 

 circulation. Suspend this coop in the air, thus per- 

 mitting plenty of air from the bottom. Feed lightly, 

 but supply with fresh water. The hen knows 

 only too well that she must have warmth from below 

 in order to hatch anything, and she will soon realize 

 that her case is hopeless and give it up as a bad job. 



