THE MOTHER HEN 121 



THOUGHT QUESTIONS 



1. Define the meaning of the word "broodiness." 



2. Define the meaning "natural incubation." 



3. Upon what does the success of natural incubation depend? 



4. Enumerate the desirable points in a good mother hen. 



5. Why should the sitting hen's nest be protected? 



6. Describe the use of barrels for shelter for the hen's nest. 



7. Can the laying pen be used as a place to set hens? 



8. Describe a good location for the hatching nests. 



9. Describe the process of making a nest. 



10. When is the best time to set the hen? 



11. Why are false eggs often placed under the sitter for the first day 



on the nest? 



12. How closely should the sitting hen be confined to the nest? 



13. What feed should be given the sitter? 



14. Describe the necessity and method of dusting sitting hens with 



lice powder. 



15. When should eggs be tested? 



16. What should be looked for when the eggs are tested? 



17. Describe the appearance of an egg containing a dead germ, a live 



germ, and an infertile egg on the seventh day. 



18. Describe the management of the nest immediately after hatching. 



19. What should be the early feed for the newly hatched ch 



20. What is the effect of lice on young chicks? 



21. What is the remedy for head lice in young chicks? 



22. Why and how should the chicks be weaned? 



23. Why should the sexes be separated as soon as they can be dis- 



tinguished? 



Reference. — United States Farmers' Bulletin 585, Natural and 

 Artificial Incubation of Hen's Eggs. 



