NATURAL HATCHING AND REARING 



153 



duties), and the nest has been properly made and the 

 hen properly fed and cared for, there are not many 

 chances of having the eggs broken or the nest fouled. 



Two hens should be set at the same time and 

 when they hatch give one the chicks and reset the 

 other. The chicks must be removed as soon as hatched 

 and taken out of hearing or she may refuse to sit 

 again. 



The number of eggs to put under a hen will vary 

 with the season and size of hen and eggs. In Febru- 



FIG. 56 COOP WITH WIRE COVERED RUN 



ary and early March eleven eggs are usually as many 

 as a medium-sized hen can cover. A little later thir- 

 teen or fifteen may be used, while in May and June 

 seventeen or nineteen can be given to a Plymouth 

 Rock or Brahma. An odd number of eggs generally 

 fit in the nest better than an even number. 



Between the seventh and tenth day of incubation, 

 the eggs should be tested, and infertile ones taken out 

 to cook for young chicks. The testing must be done 

 in the dark. If you have no tester hold the eggs in 



