408 POULTBY CULTURE 



On the whole, it may be said that the first four weeks of a 

 chick's life is the most critical period. 



The majority of the chicks of the flock that are alive at the 

 end of four weeks will live to maturity. As a rule, with those 

 unexperienced and with limited time more chicks may be 

 hatched and reared by use of the hen. 



How to Sit a Hen. — The best type of hen to sit is one of 

 medium weight, such as the Rocks, Reds, Wyandottes, and 

 Orpingtons. The light breeds that flit and fight break eggs 

 and are poor sitters. The first sign that a hen wants to sit is 

 that she remains on the nest longer when laying, later she does 

 not leave on being approached and will ruffle her feathers, 

 cluck and even pick at the intruder. 



For early hatching a hen with much body fluff is to be desired. 



Sit at least six hens at one time. A box for the sitting hen 

 should be about 16 inches square with a board 5 inches wide at 

 the lower portion of the front to give support to the nest. 

 Make the nests out of excelsior or soft straw, as oat straw or 

 wheat straw. Work the straw down carefully so as to make a 

 well-rounded nest, with no low corners for the eggs to roll into 

 and become chilled. Leave no sharp straws projecting up so 

 as to prick the hen and make her irritable. Prepare the boxes 

 in a partially darkened room and away from other birds or 

 animals that may trouble them. Make the boxes low, so the 

 hen will find no trouble in getting in and out with ease. Keep 

 feed and water before her at all times, so that she may easily 

 procure water and feed when she so desires and can immedi- 

 ately return to the nest undisturbed. If an egg becomes 

 broken, secure a pan of warm water and dip the eggs that are 

 smeared, removing the portion of eggs with as little rubbing as 

 possible. The egg-shells are porous so as to allow oxygen 

 to pass through from the atmosphere to the developing embryo 

 which must have oxygen, and to allow the escape of carbon 

 dioxid, which is a poisonous gas given off from the developing 

 embryo as in all animal life. If the egg becomes smeared with 

 albuminous material, as in the case of broken eggs, and this 

 substance dries on the outside of the shell, it may seal enough 

 of these pores to prevent oxygen entering and carbon dioxid 

 leaving the eggs and the embryo dies. 



