120 
EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN. 
breeds as Cochins, Wyandottes, etc., seem inclined to sit and would 
make good mothers, they may be used, providing chickens are wanted at 
that time. It is claimed that the hen’s time is too valuable to waste in 
sitting, but if she is properly cared for while broody, it will serve as a 
resting period, and she will probably lay about as many eggs in the 
year as she would if confined to the coop for a few days to break up the 
desire to incubate. After a hen has hatched and reared a brood of 
chicks she will usually begin laying again and apparently seem to try to 
make up for lost time. It is a mistake to kill a hen just because she 
raised a brood of nice chicks. She probably will be one of the best lay¬ 
ers the next winter. Some hens, however, seem to be chronic sitters; 
these are of little value for anything but hatching chicks and might as 
well be killed if they are not wanted for that purpose. Such hens de¬ 
velop but few eggs at a time and can never make a good year’s record. 
BREEDS ADAPTED TO INCUBATION. 
The question of the relative merits of the different breeds as sitters 
often arises. There is much difference of opinion on this subject and 
also a great difference in the individual hens themselves. In general, 
however, the Cochins and Wyandottes make very good sitters. Some 
may prefer Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, etc., but we believe 
that no other breeds are as nicely feathered for incubation purposes as 
the Wyandottes and Cochins. It is generally conceded that Leghorns, 
Minorcas and others of the special egg producing breeds do not make 
good mother hens. Some of these make good sitters, but far too many 
will prove worthless for the purpose. 
THE NEST. 
In the first place one should select a good location for the sitting 
hen. When they are located where others can lay in with them, trouble 
is sure to occur, as they generally quarrel over the nest, thus breaking 
and soiling the eggs. Therefore, it is essential to secure a place where 
there cannot be any possibility of disturbance. The nest may be made 
of soft hay sprinkled with sulphur and powdered tobacco stems, or 
some other good insect powder to prevent the ravages of lice. After 
nightfall select those hens that have been sitting steadily for a few 
days and remove them to the prepared nests. If they do not settle down 
contentedly at first do not entrust them with eggs, until safe to do so. 
Some hens prove too cranky to be profitable even though they do not 
cease incubation entirely, or spoil the nest of eggs; they should be 
taken off the nest and fed once or twice to test their dispositions. If 
they go back on the nest of their own accord it is safe to entrust them 
with eggs. If they do not go back at the end of half an hour, catch and 
place them gently on the nest. Some hens learn to go back quickly and 
take their own nest, while others are very slow. 
A very serviceable nest is made by cutting a door in the side of a 
barrel and hinging it fast with light hinges or straps. Place old news¬ 
papers on the bottom and then make a nice firm nest of soft hay. Be 
sure and make the nest so large that the eggs will not pile up on each 
other under the hen, but not large enough to allow them to roll away 
from her body. The top of the barrel can then be covered with boards, 
