INCUBATION 



245 



Fig. 275. Nest boxes, made in pairs, for 

 sitting hens. Inside dimensions: large, 

 16" X 16" X 18"; small, 12" X 12" X 15" 



sections high. When nests are placed on the ground the earth bot- 

 tom should be shaped before putting into it the nest material, partic- 

 ular care being taken to remove any small stones that it may contain. 

 For nest material. Short, fine hay or straw is preferred for nest 

 material, but fine shavings or excelsior may be used. Some poultry 

 keepers use tobacco stems, which are objectionable to lice. What- 

 ever material is used should be 

 shaped and well pressed down 

 by hand. If this is carelessly 

 done, eggs are likely to be 

 broken, and the hen blamed for 

 what was none of her fault. 

 Those who have had no expe- 

 rience or have been unsuccess- 

 ful in shaping nests will find it a good plan, after doing their best, 

 to put a few china eggs into the nest and let the hen shape it as 

 she sits on these for a day or two. 



Selection of eggs. Eggs to be incubated should be selected with 

 care, all that are irregular in shape, defective in shell, or abnormal 

 in size being discarded. Leaving out of consideration all other ob- 

 jections to the use of such eggs for hatching, their liability to break 

 is sufficient reason for not using them. The eggs should be as 

 fresh as possible, and should be clean. Eggs three weeks old 

 when set may hatch well, but 

 the young birds are likely to be 

 much less vigorous than those 

 from fresh eggs. Little differ- 

 ence is noted between chicks 

 from eggs ten days or two 

 weeks old when set, but it is 

 the general opinion that the fresher eggs produce somewhat better 

 young. Hatches reported from eggs' kept six weeks or more are 

 not well authenticated. 



Eggs kept for hatching should not be exposed to either ex- 

 treme cold or extreme heat. The best temperature is from 40° to 

 50° F. It makes no appreciable difference in what position they are 

 placed, nor is it necessary to turn them at intervals ; the position 

 does not affect eggs held only a week or two. It is not advisable 



Fig. 276. 



Same as Fig. 275, with nest 

 boxes closed 



