The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-06-06
HOW TO SET A HEN,


| The nest should be made as near En-
ground as possible Many poultry men sa,
1t should be on tho ground, but their prac
tice does not correspond with their preach
ing. We have used large.roomy boxes, sa,
lS x24, inside measurement, with excel
| ieat results. We sometimes use O commo,
Hour barrel, with two of tho slaves cut avn,
between the inside hoops. Either of thes
make as good nests as the most cxacting her
can require.
In the bottoRa of tho box, barrel or what
ever may be used, some two inches of fine, dr.,
earth should be placed, made slightly con
1icsa 9 aEess Nj plaesse nedag1seSnese
OF fhe nay Of soft straw; chop u 3
straw, shavings, moss, leaves, and many 9th
er things cf a similar character, are some
times used, but should not be, if possible I,
procure the proper material. Do not max,
the nest too concave, for the eggs will "ride'
each other and get broken.
Put from eight to fifteen eggs in the nest
according 10 the size Of the hen and tn,
season of the year. A small hen shoulc
never have more than ten eggs, and q large
one not more than fifteen. A less numbe,
should be given during the winter than in
the late spring or early summer. Sprin
kie hneIy sifted coal ashes among the ma
terial of the nest, upon the eggs and through
the feathers of the sitter. If coal ashes
cannot be obtained, use -four sulphur in
moderate quadsS. Lice, the greatest pes,
of the poultry ns'scr, arc the direct cause
Of numerous failures to hatch.
Every hen is not q good sitter. Some
are nervous and fdgety, coming off at unsea.
sonable hours and making big fuss on the
slightest provocation. The observant house.
wife will readily select the quiet kind that
may be depended upon with mathematical
certainty. 1t is best to be certain that
they are ready for business before giving
them eggs; so it is wise to allow them to sit
on dummy till they will find the nest
very readily, after each absence.
The sittcrs should be isolated from Law.
ing hens and from each other. Pure water
and sound, sweet food should be ALWAYS
easily accessible. Corn is the best for this
purpose. The dust bath must be provided
IN addition to the preliminary precautions
Coal ashes are the best fine dry earth is
good. Wood ashes may bo sparingly mixed
with dry earth, but We doubt the utility
Something in the shape of gravel must be
provided or the digestive organs will become
seriously impaired.
In dry, warm weather, occasionally sprin.
kle the hay of the nest with water; not en- ough
to vet, but to slightly dampen. After ff.
teen days use tepid water on the eggs direct.
This keeps the inner membrane of the
shell soft and pliable and the chicks have
no difficulty in receiving light at the proper
time. Do not use sulphur in the nest
or on the hen while Matching. Sulphur
blinds the young chicks. Coal. ashes are
safe at any time. 1t will not do to grease
or oil the sitter at any time during the in
cubating period, as these substances close
the pores Of the egg and smother the chick.
Do not disturb the hon until you are quite
pertain that the Matching has been com.
cleted. Keep her as quiet as possible, and
if her nest can be darkened, SO much the
better. Let the chicks remain in the nest
till they are, at least, twenty-four hours
old. aud we prefer longer period. Ifthe
little fellows will cluster around the hand
when it is put into the nest they may be
lightly fed. The practice of 'pipping' them,
or taking off tho little scale adhering to the
point of the bill, is wrong Nature pro.
vides for its removal in due season. - Our
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