The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-03-15
Sitting Hens and Their Management.


It is. often remarked that|a .henthat
steals her nest comes home with full
brood of chicks, while those that are
"set" in the chicken-house are not so
successful. This is fact noticed in the
experience of many interested in poultry.
But do all imagine or contemplate why
this contrast? In both cases undoubted-
'ly the hen does her dutyas irresponsible,
but under quite different circumstances.
Let US investigate. When allowed her
own inclinations, mother henswil select
the, ,ea,M as the foundation Of her nest,
hidden away in some secluded or shady
place. The warmest june or July1days,
the eggs in such nest, the side next the
ground willtbe found to.be quite cool and
moist in comparison with that that comes
in contact with the body of the hen.
When the hem goes; inz search hs5for food
(for such hens during incubation aselbuard
themselves'') itSis always early sinsthe
morning, and they return eAsstMet
with dew. Now; this is Just sWhat nature
demands. aArtiicial lilcnba bationp is only
successfully secured BY means having
the heat come from. above; swhileTne un.
der side of the egg mustAhave itssprcper
degree of cool moisture. 2 Hence the wis
dom of the hen; the eafths answers this
purpose, and while she is fulfilling the
old adage, "the early bird catches the
worm," she is sure to bring sufficient
moisture on her feathers to hays effect on
the she'll Of the egg, and kReepings sSthe
heat,of' tho body retained withfsHfieient
moisture to prevent the parching, so to
speak, Of the outer lining lor membrane
inside of the egg. How different with
homemade nests; often old box nailed
up against the side of the building, with
some old hay or straw, and it is consid7s
cred complete. So is. Not for success!
Why? Because the eggs have no cooling,
moisture on the under side, and the hen
is fed and not allowed to ramble away in
the wet grass. Consequence: some of
the eggs hatch, while some of the chicks
can only break the shell and get their
bills through the outer membrane which
has become dry-not unlike, in appear
ance, parchment; and then die. Then
there is wondering why the eggs don't
hatch, and why the chicks are so weak
they cannot get out, even after the she'll
is broken, &c. Nature in these things
should be as closely initiated as possible.
Improperly-made nests are oftentimes the
only reason for having poor results, or, as
it is more often called, '.poor luck." If it
is not convenient to make nests on the
ground floor, with box a0ithOut bottom,
then take box, place in it an inverted
sod, or three or four inches of fresh earth,
rounding it out to proper nest shape;
then put in clean hay or straw-hay
preferable, as the fowls are not SO apt to
scratch it out looking for grain amongst
it. If early in the season nine or eleven
eggs are enough; for the outer ones, if
more are in the nest, are sure to get
chilled, and as the hen daily changes
them about in the nest. they, perhaps, all
would mostly get chilled. If the hen is
confined where she cannot run out when
she pleases twill be of great benefit to
sprinkle the eggs on the 18th and 18th
days freely with tepid water. Should an
egg get broken and smear the Others,