134 
elementary agriculture 
The Best Place to Set Hens.—Hens should not be 
set where other hens will lay to them and worry them. 
They like a dark nest in some secluded spot sheltered 
from rain and well protected from dogs and other harm¬ 
ful animals. Probably you have noticed that the hen 
that steals away from the flock and builds her nest on the 
ground hatches a fine brood of baby chicks. 
Preparing Nests for Setting Hens.—A good barrel 
placed on its side, chocked with brick or rock makes a 
Fig. 105.—A dust wallow for hens. 
good place to build a nest for the hen. A box or keg will 
serve the purpose provided they are large enough to give 
the hen ample room and proper ventilation. 
In building the nest, first place several shovels of soil 
in the barrel, box, or keg. Round out a nest in the dirt 
as though you were going to place in the eggs. Line the 
dirt nest with finely chopped hay. It is now ready to 
receive the hen and the eggs. 
Test the Broody Hen.—After preparing the nest for 
the hen, go to the place where she is trying to sit and 
transfer her to the new nest after dark. First set her on 
several artificial eggs or eggs that have been culled from 
