246 POULTRY CULTURE 



to put under the same hen the eggs of birds of different kinds or 

 distinctly different types, but it is often advisable to place in the 

 same nest eggs from different flocks, yards, or individual hens, 

 especially if the hatching qualities of some of the matings are 

 known, and it is desired to determine whether, in case of failure 

 of other eggs to hatch, the fault is in the eggs or in incubation. 

 For such purposes eggs must be marked. In general it is desirable 

 that all eggs used for incubation be marked, or that the nests be 

 marked to identify eggs set in them. 



Number of eggs placed in a nest. The number of eggs in a setting 

 varies according to the size of the bird, the kind of eggs, and the 

 season. A medium-sized hen can cover from 9 to 1 5 hens' eggs, 

 — usually (of average eggs) 11 in winter, 13 in early spring, and 

 1 5 after the weather is settled. The same hen would cover 6 or 7 

 turkey eggs, from 9 to 1 1 duck eggs, or 4 or 5 goose eggs. A duck 

 will cover about the same number of duck eggs as a hen of like 

 weight. Geese and turkeys cover from 1 2 to 15 of their own eggs. 

 In warm weather much larger numbers of eggs may be given and 

 large hatches secured,^ but because of the risk of the entire hatch 

 being spoiled by a sudden cold snap, big sittings are rarely made 

 except from curiosity. Bantams laying eggs larger for their size 

 than the large fowls will cover only from 7 to 9 of their own eggs, 

 and about the same number of the eggs of pheasants. 



Advantages of keeping hens shut on the nests. Except when 

 they are let off to eat and drink, the nests of sitting hens should 

 be kept closed. This is necessary, not so much on account of the 

 individual hen that may leave her nest too long, as to prevent 

 interference and quarreling, with the breakage of eggs and the 

 general disturbance that such incidents occasion. If any are rest- 

 less they may be kept quiet by darkening the nests with burlap 

 curtains, either over the nest or on the windows. Hens that will 

 not settle down in a darkened room or nest should be discarded. 



When only a few hens are set in nests on the ground, and it is 

 desired to manage them with as little interference as possible, they 

 may be let out to feed singly or in pairs, and left to return to the 

 nests of their own accord. When large numbers are set in the same 



1 1 have seen a little native hen weighing less than 4 pounds hatch 19 chicks 

 from 19 eggs. A Brahma hen set on 27 Leghorn eggs hatched 21 chicks. 



