POULTRY 
135 
the hatching eggs. Let her sit in her new quarters a few 
days to see if she will hold her nest. If she proves to be 
a persistent sitter, remove the eggs first placed under her 
and replace them with thirteen or fifteen carefully 
selected eggs. It is advisable to set several hens at the 
same time so that if some of the eggs prove to be infertile 
or if you get a poor hatch you can shift the eggs or give 
all the chicks to one hen. 
Fig. 106.—An egg candler, showing three inexpensive methods of making an 
egg candler. 
Care of Broody Hens.—Hens that are sitting should 
be fed, watered and allowed exercise. It is a good plan to 
have the hens leave their nests about the same time each 
day. If they will not leave of their own accord they 
should be removed carefully. They will usually return to 
their nest before the eggs chill, but it is advisable to 
watch them and see that they return to the right nest. 
Place the feed and water near the nest so the birds will 
not have to rustle for their food. 
If you will place wood ashes to which a little sodium 
flouride or snuff has been added, in a box or old tub and 
