Management of the Sitting Hen. 47 



a brood. Hence it is often advised to sprinkle the eggs daily with water in summer time ; 

 and formerly we always adopted this practice, but finding occasionally bad results follow it, careful 

 examination showed that in some circumstances (probably chiefly depending on the hay or straw) 

 parasites so small as to be only distinguished by the microscope swarmed over the shells, and were 

 probably the cause of failures. This effect is only found occasionally, but we now prefer to find a 

 .damp, cool spot, scoop a slight hollow in the ground, place the nest-box over it, and put in a 

 moderate quantity of fresh-cut grass. This retains some dampness a long time, but must not 

 be wet, and usually answers well. A few days before hatching the ground round the nest may be 

 watered as advised for winter, but with cold water in this case ; and only two days before hatching 

 would we take the hen off, and give the eggs either a good soak, as recommended further on, or a 

 drenching with warm water. If we make a straw nest, our usual plan is to take the hen off about 

 a week before hatching, and empty a full half-pint of warm water over the nest and eggs, 

 repeating this the third day after, and once more before the eggs are chipped ; but all this only 

 refers to dry weather : if not warm or dry, watering the ground is quite sufficient. Damping 

 the eggs should always be done at night, in order that the hen may be immediately replaced on 

 them. We only add that the corners of the sitting-box should be well filled up with the grass 

 or straw, else eggs may be rolled into them and become addled. 



The proper size of a sitting-box for a Cochin, or other equally large bird, is fourteen or fifteen 

 inches square ; others in proportion. The hen must have ample room, and will then be much less 

 likely to break the eggs when .stepping in. Should any get broken, the first night afterwards a 

 bucket of water heated to 105" should be taken into the house, and the hen being lifted off to an 

 adjoining nest, all the eggs be placed in the pail. Then remove all dirty straw, and re-make the nest 

 clean and comfortable, after which clean every soiled egg (still in the water) with a sponge, and 

 when all are done, replace the whole, and the hen too. If the hen's breast be much soiled by the 

 broken egg, that also must be cleansed thoroughly, or next time she comes off it will probably 

 adhere to one or more eggs and repeat the accident. If a broken egg is neglected, probably 

 no chicks will be obtained even should the others escape actual breakage, which they are very 

 liable to. 



Only a moderate number of eggs should be set. For very early broods, seven are quite 

 enough, and at regular seasons eleven are sufficient, except for very large hens. Setting too many 

 often loses all, for the hen not being able to cover the outside ones, they get chilled ; and as she 

 changes the position of the eggs every day, this happens to nearly all in turn. Besides, in setting 

 eggs, it is not only needful to consider how many the hen can safely hatch, but how many she can 

 brood when they begin to grow ; else the weaker ones will be unable to get proper shelter, and 

 perish. In summer we can be less particular. Whatever be the number, every egg should 

 be marked with ink, as some hens will lay eggs several days after beginning to sit, and these must 

 be removed. In case of valuable eggs, we also want to know which have hatched. 



Rather small hens — about si.x pounds weight — make the best sitters. Game, though smaller, 

 stand in the very first class ; so do moderate-sized Dorkings. Dominiques, too, are excellent. 

 Cochins and Brahmas make splendid sitters, from their tame and gentle disposition and ample 

 feathering, and most barn-door fowls also sit well. Any hen must be well furnished with body- 

 feathers, or the eggs will not be properly covered ; and she ought also to be tolerably tame and 

 quiet. It is, however, often necessary to purchase broody hens, and the wildest may usually be 

 managed with quietness and care, lifting them every day firmly, but quietly, off their nests, and 

 putting them down to feed, and then leaving them by themselves. When a strange hen is 

 bargained for, a nest should be fully prepared for her beforehand, and at least two nest-eggs 



