WHERE TO SET THE HEN 315 
this is usually in April. Several signs will enable one to pick out 
the broody hen. The first thing noted is her persistent sitting 
upon the nest after laying. The non-broody hen will leave imme- 
diately after laying and is easily disturbed when she is laying, 
while the reverse is true of the broody hen. Other distinctive signs 
are the looseness of the feathers on the breast, and the viciousness 
with which the sitting hen will attack the poultryman when he 
attempts to remove her from the nest or to search for eggs. There 
is also a tendency to ruffle up the feathers, and when on the nest 
to sit close with wings outspread. Another characteristic is the 
increased body heat, which can be felt by placing the hand under 
the breast. This is a natural phenomenon brought about by an 
increased flow of blood into that part during this period. The best 
time to pick out a broody hen is in the late afternoon, since birds 
rarely lay their eggs later than two or three o’clock in the after- 
noon, and after this time all hens on the nest show more or less 
broodiness. 
When to Set the Hen.—When hens are used for incubation, 
the time at which they can be most safely depended upon is during 
the natural hatching season in the spring. Any birds with a well- 
developed broody tendency, and of a breed which can be depended 
upon, can be safely used for hatching. At this time the percentage 
of loss due to fickleness and other causes will be reduced to the 
minimum. 
Where to Set the Hen.—There are two methods of arranging 
nests for natural hatching, and a choice will depend almost wholly 
upon the breeds to be used and the number of eggs to be hatched. 
One can use either a large, specially constructed house for sitting 
or a small coop of suitable type. The large sitting houses are 
adapted to natural hatching when carried on extensively. Usually 
these are large rooms in houses of simple construction. Have them 
water-tight and free from wind, but well ventilated. One of the 
best types is the shed-roof structure, with the entire front closed 
only with wire. The inside of the house is equipped with tier 
upon tier of large, roomy nests for the hens. Hens are allowed, 
at regular intervals, to get down on the ground to scratch and eat. 
This method reduces labor to a minimum, and enables one man 
to take care of a great many sitting hens. 
The second method, or the use of special shelters, is merely 
the placing of such coops in a secluded place; preferably in the 
lee of a windbreak, in any place protected by buildings, or on the 
