SET HENS IN PAIRS OR TRIOS 291 



The number of eggs to allow a hen will depend upon the bird's 

 ability to cover them properly. Never put so many eggs under 

 a hen that they are even slightly visible from beneath her plum- 

 age. This is especially important in cold weather ; the outer row 

 of eggs is almost certain to be chilled, and in view of the fact' 

 that the hen changes the position of the eggs from six to ten times 

 a day, it means that all of the eggs are likely to be chilled at in- 

 tervals. Even if this does not spoil the hatch, it is sure to retard 

 it, which is not good for the chicks. 



From ten to eighteen eggs is correct ; thirteen eggs are reckoned 

 as a setting. When a number of hens are set, it is well to start 

 them in pairs or trios, then at hatching time the chicks from three 

 hens may be divided between two hens, or the chicks from two 

 hens may be given to one hen, thereby saving the toil of extra 

 hens. 



On farms it is quite common to see a number of hens with their 

 broods, each brood having perhaps six chicks. If these broods 

 were doubled up, the efficiency of the hens would be greatly in- 

 creased, since it is no trouble for a good biddy to care for fifteen 

 chicks. The work of transferring the chicks must be done at the 

 start, however, or the hens are likely to refuse to accept the extra 

 chicks. A good plan is to make the transfer on the evening of the 

 day the hatches are completed, before the hens have left their 

 nests. Slip the chicks under the hens when it is dark, and on the 

 day following the chicks will not be able to distinguish their 

 foster mothers, neither will the hens be able to detect their 

 adopted offspring. 



Dusting the Sitters. — Special efforts must be made to render 

 the sitters free from vermin. When the hatches are started, the 

 hens should be thoroughly dusted with a good insect powder. 

 See Fig. 187. Repeat the operation at the end of the first and 

 second, weeks of the incubating period. Watch for mites, and 

 in case any are discovered, move the hen and eggs to a clean 

 nest. Lice and mites are not only a danger to the health of the 

 chicks, but they annoy the sitters to such an extent that some- 



