NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL BROODING 93 



however, do not allow the chicks to have any feed. When 

 the hatching is completed, the hen should be kept on the 

 nest and brood the chicks for at least 24 hours before remov- 

 ing them to the brood coops. 



Broody hens are sometimes used to raise incubator- 

 hatched chicks and to take the place of the artificial brooder 

 when there is only a small number of chicks to raise. In 

 instances of this kind a few eggs should be put under a 

 broody hen 4 or 5 days before the incubator is to hatch. 

 When the hatch in the incubator is completed and after the 

 chicks are thoroughly dry, one or two should be put under 

 the hen, preferably at night. Should she mother them 

 properly, the following evening add as many as she can take 

 care of. In the spring hens will successfully brood 10 to 

 15 chicks and from 15 to 20 in warmer weather, depend- 

 ing upon the size of the hen. 



When giving chicks to a hen to brood, it is best to add 

 those of the same color and age as the ones already with her, 

 for the reason that she will sometimes pick the strange 

 chicks, if they are of a different color from the ones she is 

 already brooding. 



When transferring chicks from one hen to another, do 

 so at night. Dust the hen with a good insect powder before 

 moving her and the chicks to the brood coop, following 

 the method given on page 77. The hen should be dusted 

 every two weeks or oftener, if necessary, until the chicks 

 are weaned. When lice appear on the chicks, or if they 

 are troubled with "head lice," a httle grease, such as lard 

 or vaseline, should be appHed on the head, neck, under the 

 wings and around the vent, care being taken not to get 

 too much grease on the chicks, as it will stop their growth, 

 and in some cases prove fatal. For additional information 

 on lice and mites see Chapter X. 



Care of the brood coop. Clean the brood coop at least 



