322 NATURAL INCUBATION AND BROODING 
Care at Hatching Time.—As hatching time approaches the 
hen sits very close to the nest, and often refuses to come off to 
eat. This is natural, as a high temperature is now necessary. She 
should be kept in the nest, for many hens at this time become 
nervous, and try.to leave it after a few chicks are hatched. The 
nest should be so prepared that the chicks, as they hatch, cannot 
get away from the hen and fall out of it. It is well to feel under 
the hen occasionally, and remove any shells or weak and crushed 
chicks, but normal chicks should not be taken away from the hen 
until they are twenty-four to thirty-six hours old, or until the hen 
of her own will takes the flock out in search of feed. 
Causes of a Poor Hatch.—The causes of a poor hatch with the 
natural method when known can easily be guarded against. They 
are: (1) Poor sitters; (2) poor eggs; (3) the presence of vermin; 
(4) improper management. These are all equally important, and 
a successful hatch depends upon attention to all, from the fact 
that neglect of any one means almost certain failure. 
Pedigreeing.—It is often desirable to keep a record of the 
new chicks; it may be merely for the time of hatching or more 
detailed information as to parent stock. To mark the chicks per- 
manently and without injury, the poultryman uses one of two 
methods, toe punching and leg banding. The system of toe punch- 
ing allows of sixteen different numbers. These are shown in figure 
152. If the marks are carefully made, this method will answer 
very well. It is more quickly done than leg banding and does not 
1 LB 1 
Fig. 153.—A good, yet simple, leg band for chicks, 
necessitate much clerical work; but, if not properly done, toe mark- 
ings are apt to be grown over or the web to be torn. With leg bands 
(Fig. 153) accurate and full records must be kept, which means 
considerable expense in time and material; but, where superiority 
through breeding is desired, this money and time are well spent. 
NATURAL BROODING. 
In the rearing of chicks with the hen, one of the first essentials 
is a suitable brooder coop, which should be designed as follows: 
It should be light and portable. It must allow the chicks to have 
