TEST THE SITTERS 



289 



to select for setting. But do not be misled into thinking that 

 all hens found on the nest after nightfall are really and truly 

 sitters. When broody hens are removed from the laying nests 

 to the place where it is desired to have them sit, some may go on 

 a strike and not sit at all. It is therefore best to first test the 

 hens. Give them some dummy eggs for a couple of days, and 

 if they show unmistakable signs of settling down to business, 

 give them real eggs. 



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Fig. 185. — Front elevation of coop for sitting hens, as shown in Fig. 183. 



Quarters. — A clean, cool, well-ventilated room or coop is the 

 best place for the sitters. If it can be darkened after feeding 

 time, so much the better, as the hens will be quieter. Arrange 

 the nests along the walls and in such a manner that the hens will 

 not have to fly or jump into them, a practice which is likely to 

 break the eggs. If the coop has a dirt floor, the earth will serve 

 as a dust wallow, otherwise the building should be fitted with 

 a special dust bath. It is customary for sitting hens to take a 

 dust wallow about once a day, which they seem to realize is 

 19 



