TESTING THE EGGS 293 



without leaving the nest. Whole corn is an excellent food for 

 sitters; it is fattening, which is a desirable effect, because the 

 broody hen is prone to become very thin and poor. Should 

 undue looseness of the bowels occur, the addition of a little sul- 

 phate of iron in the drinking water will usually correct the trouble. 

 Disturb the hens as little as possible while they are sitting. If 

 the nests need attention, because they are sometimes soiled from 

 one cause or another, clean them while the hens are off eating. 



Fig. i88. — The makeshift coop is all right, providing it is weather-proof, 

 vermin-proof and sanitary. 



See to it that cats, dogs or other animals are unable to gain en- 

 trance to the room or coop, also other poultry. 



Testing Eggs. — Few farmers bother to .test the hatching eggs, 

 though this is advisable, because the infertile eggs may be used 

 as food for other broods. Then, too, if the fertility is poor, let 

 us say if half of the eggs are clear, the eggs from two hens may 

 be placed under one sitter, providing the hatches were started 

 at the same time, and fresh eggs started under the hen from 

 whom the eggs were removed. Here again we add to the effi- 

 ciency of the hens. 



By all means darken the nests at hatching time, and do not 



