varies. A hen that frequently leaves the nest will not hatch out chicks as quickly 

 as a hen that broods closely, and only leaves the nest probably once every two or 

 three days. 



A dust-box should be provided, and should be at least 8 inches deep, and filled 

 to within 2 or 3 inches of the top with earth or road-dust mixed. A handful or two 

 of powdered sulphur sprinkled in the dust-box is also helpful. 



The proper time to set a hen is after dark. Place two or three infertile eggs in 

 the nest beforehand. It is advisable to have these warm, if possible, especially early 

 in the season, as a hen will often take a dislike to stone-cold eggs. Sometimes it is 

 advisable to place a basket over the hen when sitting, and remove this after the first 

 day. When sitting hens are attended to at regular intervals, it is not necessary to 

 coop a hen up in this fashion. Allow them to come off when they feel inclined, and 

 if they do not come off daily, then they may be lifted from the nest. This should be 

 done carefully, and as follows : Lift out both wings first, and then gently lift with 

 both hands pressed to the sides of the hen. If the wings are not opened out, an egg 

 or two is often cracked by being lifted up with the hen, and then falling on the eggs 

 in the nest. 



The eggs should be tested the seventh day in the same way as those in incubators, 

 removing the infertile and those in which dead germs appear. An egg-tester can be 

 procured at any poultry-supply house for a small sum. They are generally given 

 free to purchasers of incubators. An acetylene cycle lamp makes a first-class tester. 

 If a number of hens are set at the same time, the fertile eggs, after testing, can be 

 rearranged under the hens necessary to cover them, and the remainder of the hens 

 reset or placed back in the laying or breeding house, as desired. 



From the seventh to the ninth day the fertile eggs with live germs will have a 

 dark spot, the germ, in the larger end with the veins radiating from it, making a 

 spider-like appearance. Eggs showing a red ring, or eggs showing a dark spot with- 

 out blood-vessels, clouded or infertile eggs, should also be removed. 



The eggs should again be tested on the fourteenth or fifteenth day, removing any 

 in which the chicks have died. 



If testing takes place on the sixteenth or seventeenth day, at this stage of 

 incubation a live chick will have darkened all the egg with the exception of the air- 

 cell. If the egg is closely watched, a movement of the chick can often be detected. 



The eggs should be examined every other day to see if they have been soiled. 

 Should this happen, wash them in water of 90 degrees temperature, and dry before 

 putting in nest. Dust the hen, when first setting, and on about the seventeenth day, 

 with a good dusting-powder. 



Place a pan of whole corn or corn and wheat near the nest, some clam or oyster 

 shell, and about every other day provide a sod of young tender grass-shoots. Change 

 the drinking-water frequently. 



Immediately after the chicks are removed, the litter should be taken out of the 

 box and burnt, the box washed or disinfected, and placed in the sun to dry before 

 using again. Setting a hen on a nest that has been previously used is an unprofit- 

 able proceeding, for red mites will generally put in an appearance, and they are 

 easier to rear than chickens. 



By having the nest box a foot deep, the chicks are not liable to get out, and 

 probably get chilled ; or, as sometimes happens, a hen will leave ten chicks in the 

 nest, to mother one that has fallen out. 



BROODING CHICKS WITH HENS. 



The hen with her brood should not be disturbed too frequently during the first 

 few days after hatching. As the chicks develop they require less restricted quarters, 

 but it is wise to keep the mother hen confined. Chicks should not be allowed to run 

 through long wet grass or grass heavy-laden with dew. Where the grass is long it 

 is advisable to cut short a small space around the chicken-coop. 



Upon removal, which should take place twenty-four hours after the last chick 

 has hatched, the first feed may consist of dried bread-crumbs, crushed egg-shell, or 



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