The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-01-30
AGRICULTURAL.
Hacking Chickens Early.


Sitting hens are certainly annoying, where
this desire is nearly constant, yet have seen
the time when the first broodiness of hen
was hailed with great joy. On some occa-
sions, especially with amateurs, early chick
ems are desirable, and that is when the birds
are intended for exhibition. Where eggs alone
are the desideratum, constant broodness
among the hens is intolerable. To avoid this,
the non-sitters should be cultivated. 1t is
really trying, when eggs are at 80 or 80 cents
per dozen, to find the majority of your hens
down with the sitting fever at mdwinter.
Yet the larger breeds will do it, no matter
how great the emergency. Broodiness is
contagious, and where once introduced among
flock of Brahmas, is likely to affect all alike.
The infusion of Leghorn blood remedies this
evil TO a great extent, and increases the pro-
duction Of eggs. Where sitters are required
for early chicks, the Brahma mother, by all
odds, is to be preferred, not only from the
fact that she is steady and persistent sitter,
but for many other good qualities that she
possesses above all others. According to my
experience, the light Brahma is the more
tractable, being more quiet. The Partridge
Cochin hen is too sluggish and Indifferent tor
a good sitter. She breaks her eggs, and when
her chicks hatch is liable to kill them by the
careless, clumsy manner In which she governs
her movements.
For very early chickens, an Asatic mother
is to be preferred before all Others, as her body
is larger and warmer II never found ar tificial
heat conducive to health and strength than
the smaller bird, and this bodily warmth is
highly necessary at all seasons Of the year.
She possesses an ample coat of feathers, which
retains the warmth, and is calculated to
accommodate and keep large brood comfort
able. The mother that broods them makes
all The diffprappo with tho nhtcIap nplU
at Matching time, but ever after. Where early
si.ters are required, allow the Brahma sep
arate apartment from the non-sitter and there
will be found little difficulty when eggs are to
be set. Where tine non-siters are allowed to
associate with them they soon break up any
tendency to broodiDg, especially in cold
weather. The smaller breeds generally have
the ascendancy and rule the roost, if not the
roast. The Brahnlas are quite low minded
fowls. and roost two inches from the ground
will suit their taste just as well as one ten
feet high. The sitting hen should, where it
can be done, always have her nest on the
ground, that she may walk on and off, and
not be compelled to use her wings in going
to and from the nest. A regular sitter that
means business seldom leaves the nest oftener
than once in two or three days.
The first week Of incubation is the most
critical one, for then the embryo begins its
growth, and the tender life is sensitive. Any
undue chilliness at that period Kills the germ,
and the egg becomes what is termed rotten.
If the sitter shows the right turn in her move
ments and is set in the same nest wherein
she dropped her eggs she will manage affairs
to best suit herself and her owner. 1t is not
necessary to provide extra feed tor her con-
sumption, or put it in place easy of access.
1t is sufficient if it be kept in the old run
ways; she will find it when needed. Nature
teaches the bird through the instinct how to
take care OF herself. Early chicks require
more care than the later ones. The cost of
rearing is greater, but the value is also in
creased. The early chick Is apt to receive a
stunt and become dwarfed, but for exhibition
purposes, when grown without deiormity, is
valuable and highly priced. Only the early
birds become fully feathered and developed
before the storms come on, and therefore
they must come from the shell in the early
spring months.
A sitter should never be given valuable eggs
until she has thoroughly settled down to bust
ness, unless eggs be plenty. Many have a
prejudice concerning numbers, preferring an
odd before an even one. A good sized Brah-
ma will comfortably cover fifteen eggs but in
cold weather it is better to allow her but thir-
teen. The nest should not be too much hol-
lowed out, as in that case the eggs will roll to
the centre and become heaped up, one lying
on the top of the others. The bottom ones
consequently do not receive a sufficient de-
gree OF warmth and do not hatch. The nest
should be lined with fine soft hay, and seclu-
ded from the approach of all other hens. In
twenty-one days the chicks come forth. and
the task of rearing commences. Many diff
culties attend the early chicken that the later
broods escape. They require protection from
rats and other vermin with which buildings
are infested 10 greater extent at the early