Hatching under Hens 115 



may die. Above seventy it will incubate. They 

 should lie upon their sides, and should be turned 

 half over every two days, to keep the germ from 

 rising with the yolk to the top, and adhering to the 

 membrane. 



Eggs for hatching may be kept two weeks, if 

 necessary, but the fresher they are when started, 

 the stronger the germ is likely to be, and the better 

 conditions it will have for development. 



Collect frequently, select at once, smooth, 

 clean, standard-sized eggs, store in a cool, airy spot, 

 turn half over every two days, and place under the 

 hen within two weeks. 



Broody Hens. — One cluck does not make a 

 broody hen, but clucks surely show which way 

 the feathers blow. If you have a flock of Reds or 

 Rocks, or any heavy breed, along in the spring 

 you will find a hen that takes a long time in laying 

 her egg, and makes a double racket when she 

 leaves the nest. Later she refuses to leave at all, 

 and now is the time to get the sitting nest ready. 



But do not hurry in taking such a hen from the 

 flock. If she is removed before the sitting fever is 

 well advanced, and put in a strange place, she is 

 likely to give up the idea and mess things. Wait 



