346 COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



they are placed in this coop, and the sensation of currents of air 

 under them instead of eggs is disconcerting, to say the least. 



The hens are unable to squat in a comfortable position, due 

 to their legs protruding through the openings between the slats; 

 they have no sense of privacy nor security, hence two or three 

 days of this harmless pillory usually disgusts them with the idea 

 of wanting to hatch a brood of chicks, and when released they 

 are only too anxious to rejoin their companions in the laying 

 house. It is understood, of course, that food and water are kept 

 before them during their confinement, and that they are not to be 

 treated like prisoners, but as hospital inmates. 



In long laying houses of the continuous type, where the birds 

 are kept in large units, a section of the roosting compartment 

 may be given over to the broody-hen coop and fitted with a 

 temporary slatted floor. It is better, however, to partition an 

 end of the house in which there is the maximum amount of sun- 

 shine, and to remove all fixtures or nests that may offer secluded 

 nooks. Green food in abundance should be placed in the pen 

 along with fresh water and the regular grain rations, and if pos- 

 sible the inmates should be induced to exercise. The presence 

 of a few lively cockerels in the pen will go a long way in breaking 

 the obstinate clucks. 



If the weather is mild, as it usually is when one has a large 

 number of broody hens, another good plan is to place them in an 

 open yard, giving them no access to a house even at night, except 

 during a violent storm. Without refuge of any sort, and nothing 

 to do but fuss with others of their kind, life holds very little en- 

 joyment for them, so that even the most persistent members are 

 readily converted. 



However troublesome it may be to remove the broody hens 

 every day, positively it must be done if eggs are to be secured in 

 large numbers during the summer months. It is a part of the 

 general scheme of intensive progressive poultry culture — equally 

 as important as artificial incubation and brooding. Furthermore, 

 it means greatly increased profits, for it should be remembered 

 that August eggs bring about the same prices as January eggs. 



