OVTDOOB PENS FOB HATCHING. 



113 



mfcstL'd witli Heas and. lici', and are nearly ilfX^jiirud ahvo. 

 Moreover, the dry, stiriiiii;- air nf these phiees is (k'structive 

 to the vitality of the nuhatched birds, numbers of whicli die 

 in the shell either before or at the period of liatchini;'. Every 

 poultry teeper knows that no nests are so prolific of strong- 

 healthy chickens as those that the hens "steal" under 

 hedo'es or in cojises or coQce;ded places, from whence they" 

 emerge witli strong flourishiug' In'oods that pnt to shame the 

 delicate, sickly youngsters reared in the cluse air and dry 

 over-heated nests of a hatching-house. The nearer we can 

 imitate Nature the better — and if the hens hatching pheasants' 

 egg's can be set on the ground, covered over with a ventilated 

 coop — more for concealment than warmth — and this sur- 

 rounded by a wire run, into which the hen can come out, feed, 



HATf'HIXG BOX. 



E<"JX AXD KTTN I'lMPLETE. 



drinlv, and, aljove all, dust herself, at lier will, the eggs will bo 

 found to hatch out much more abundantly than when they 

 are set in the vermin-infested, crowded pigeon holes adopted 

 l)y many keepei's. Such nesting- Ijoxes may be of cheap 

 and simple construction, as illustrated. The nest should be 

 on the ground, there being no bottom to the box ; and if the 

 sides and the wire work are sunk into the earth, and the 

 latter is sparrow and rat proof, the hen may be supplied once 

 daily with food ;ind water without entailing any further 

 trouble. But some dry ashes should be given in which she 

 can dust herself, and it is needless to say that the larger 

 the wire enclosure can be made the better. 



In confirmation of my views on the subject of hatching 

 I have much pleasure m quoting the following practical 



I 



