170 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



earth, some soft straw must be laid, oaten preferred, or, if 

 wheaten is used, it should be well beaten or rubbed in the 

 bands, and then the nest is ready for the eggs, and for the 

 hen. 



Most of our readers will be sufficiently learned in poultry 

 matters, as to be able to tell when a hen is "broody," or 

 " clucking," as it is often called. Any one who has lived in 

 the country will have no difficulty in the matter, but it may 

 be, that a few denizens of the towns may not have this 

 knowledge. The best sign is that the hen sits closely on her 

 nest, and makes a sound not unlike " cluck, cluck." If 

 taken off, she gets back again as fast as possible, resenting 

 the interference more or less, according to her temperament. 

 The best plan of putting a hen off being broody is to move 

 her about ; and, therefore, when she is wanted as a sitter, she 

 must not be disturbed too soon, but left alone until the broody 

 fever is fully developed. 



In the case of a hen, which has been proved in previous 

 years to be a really good mother, then the eggs may be 

 placed in a hatching box, and she can get to work at once ; 

 but with a young or unknown hen our plan has been to put a 

 few dummy eggs — i. e., either chalk or spoiled eggs — 'into the 

 nest, in order to test her, before the eggs to be hatched are 

 given. By this means very many valuable eggs may be saved, 

 which would otherwise be lost through the removal having 

 upset the hen. The best time to set a hen is at night, as 

 then she is more likely to settle down to her work, not having 

 seen the surroundings. The eggs should be put into the 

 nest, with some food and water near, and, if the rays from a 

 lantern or candle be thrown upon the eggs so that the hen 

 can see them, the food, and very little else, she will gene- 

 rally go on of her own accord, as soon as she has fed herself. 

 Should she be reluctant to do so, gentle force may be used, 

 and the hen placed on to the nest, and shut therein. As a 



