344 BROADLAND SPORT 



river ? Ah ! as he comes home the answer is plainly seen, for 

 does he not bring with him a goodly supply of early eggs, 

 gathered from the first nests ; some of these he places under 

 hens at home ; with others he possibly fills up nests on the in- 

 side beats, which may from various causes lack their full 

 complement. He has reasons for collecting early eggs. The 

 birds, in all probability, will lay a second time, and the second 

 batch is more likely to thrive than the former, as the weather 

 will be warmer when the poults are brought off. 



From the mew many eggs are taken, each hen generally 

 averaging a score, often more, but here a point must not be 

 forgotten ; if the cock shows a partiality to chip or peck the 

 eggs he must instantly be removed, otherwise he will teach 

 the hens to do the same. 



As these eggs are gathered they are set under hens, each 

 of which is entered on the keeper's register with full details. 



Silky fowls are, perhaps, the best mothers, and cross-bred 

 game are strongly recommended, but any hen will do if she 

 is known to be quiet and good-tempered. Brahma- Dorkings 

 are spoken of as free from vice or disease, perfect sitters and 

 devoted mothers ; being sociable and not active, they are 

 easily kept within bounds, but are wide rangers when free. 



Hens should not be set in a close, stuffy shed, but where 

 they can obtain as much air as possible, an open door not 

 being sufficient. We know one keeper who places his coops 

 on the ground, setting his hens under them ; an improvement 

 upon this principle are the hatching and nest boxes with 

 netted bottoms. 



The hens are trained to come off for food and exercise at 

 regular times, when the eggs are sprinkled with water and 

 turned. A dust bath, with black sulphur in it, is a capital 

 antidote for vermin, and very healthy for the old birds. 

 Whilst sitting they should further be dusted with "insect" 

 powder, and the same freely used in their laying boxes ; this 

 will be found successful in driving away any remaining 

 vermin, which otherwise tend to make them irritable and bad- 

 tempered. 



