1010 



POULTRY. 



Fig. 1359.— Egg Protector. 



Much depends on the season. If 

 they have more, the outer ones 

 become chilled in severe weather, 

 and as the hen daily changes them 

 they all become addled. Larger 

 breeds, like Plymouth Rocks, 

 Wyandottes, Cochins, Brahmas, 

 and others, can cover more and 

 hovefr the chicks better. 



Set the hen in a quiet, rather 

 dark place, with grain food and 

 water near. Do not assist hatching by breaking the shell. Moisten 

 the eggs in dry weather, and give them a good soak in water of 

 about 105° on the 18th or 19th day. If the nest becomes befouled 

 by broken eggs, etc., remove the eggs to water heated l05°, re-make 

 the nest, and replace eggs and hen. Take the young chicks as soon 

 as hatched, wrap them warm, and return when the hen has com- 

 pletely finished her work. Thus she will not leave her nest too 

 quickly, or trample 

 upon the chicks. Do 

 not feed the chicks the 

 first day. The yolk of 

 hard-boiled eggs is the 

 proper food the first 

 week. Feed them fre- 

 quently. After aWhile 

 feed cornmeal dough 

 and baked potatoes. 

 Do not give sloppy 

 food to the hen or 

 chicks at any time — 



diarrhea is the result. Give the brood liberty only when the dew 

 is off. Dew is more fatal than thd gapes. Always house before 

 sunset, watch for lice, and thoroughly protect them from storms. 

 In Fig. 1358 we give a representation of a convenient nest for a 

 sitting hen. It would be better with a wire bottom and a solid top 

 with wire net-work for a door. Thus it would be free from the 

 attacks of rats and weasels, and a protection against the weather. 

 A handle on top would make it very handy when the nest is to be 

 moved. The proper size for a Cochin box nest is 14 inches square 

 and 18 inches high. 



Eggs ordinarily require 21 days to hatch, but cold ^ weather re 

 17 



Fig. 1360.— Barren Egg. 



Fertile Egg. 



