278 FARM POULTRY 



occasionally, and some green crop grown thereon for the 

 purpose of renovating the soil. The same ten hens can be 

 confined in a space ten feet square if the soil be spaded and 

 renovated frequently. It is better to err on the side of too 

 much space than too little. A safe rule is to make the yard 

 so large that the hens will never kill the grass on it, and then 

 have another yard of the same size into which they can be 

 turned on alternate months. 



Renewing the Farm Flock. — It is no easy task to set a 

 hen properly, and many eggs are spoiled annually because 

 people are careless or ignorant in this respect. 



First of all, a cozy nest, neither too large nor too small, 

 should be provided. If too large, the eggs will be scattered ; 

 if too small, the hen is likely to break the eggs in getting on 

 and off the nest. A box approximately fifteen inches square 

 by eight inches deep is an acceptable size. Earth may first 

 be placed in it, then chaff or cut hay on top of this. The nest 

 should be hollow so that the eggs will not roll around. A 

 quiet hen should be selected, not too large, and placed on 

 a setting of china eggs for a few days to get her accustomed 

 to the nest. 



A fussy, flighty hen is a nuisance and ought never be used. 

 If the hen breaks an egg and smears the others, they must 

 be taken out and washed with warm water, for smeared eggs 

 will not hatch; Too many eggs should not be placed in one 

 nest. A far greater percentage of chicks will hatch if a 

 setting of eggs is put under two hens than if all are put 

 under one hen. In cold weather nine eggs is sufficient. 

 The chicks may be placed with one hen after they are 

 hatched. 



The nest box should be so arranged that it can be closed 

 except when the hen is to be taken off for feeding and 



