416 POULTRY CULTURE 



conditions the chicks will not wander too far and will return 

 again. If the hen is allowed to run on free range, she will take 

 her flock long distances, using no judgment or discretion. The 

 weaker ones will fall behind, and if the weather is cold, or grass 

 and weeds are covered with dew or rain water, the chicks 

 become wet, and if the weather is cold they will become chilled, 

 which means that they are likely to become sick, especially 

 attacked by bowel derangement, and die. The death-rate 

 under these conditions is much higher than when the hen is 

 kept confined. 



The house and run being movable should be removed to new 

 quarters once or twice a week. This is advisable from a sani- 

 tary standpoint, as the ground close around soon becomes 

 polluted. 



Fig. 152. — A cheap and convenient A-housc for a hen and her brood. 



In case it is not the desire to sit a hen do not mistreat her, 

 as it is perfectly natural for her to want to brood; it is a part of 

 the laws of nature and follows with birds in their cycle of repro- 

 duction. The sitting hen can be easily dissuaded from her 

 notion to sit. Make a broody coop. This coop should be 

 about 2 feet square and the top, bottom, and sides made of 

 plaster lath. The coop can be left out in the open, when find- 

 ing it impossible to sit the hep will soon give it up. While she 

 is confined, feed and water her so that she will soon commence 

 laying again. She should have an allowance of cut sprouted 

 oats in her feed. If properly cared for, the ovary will begin 

 ovulation again in from ten days to two weeks. 



To protect chicks from hawks and rats make wire netting 

 runs 18 inches high and 4 feet by 12 feet and allow 



