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 the
ground as possible. Many poultry men say
it should be on the ground but their prac.
tlce does not correspond with their preach.
ing. We have used large roomy boxes, say
lo K "a, inside measurements with excel.
leot results. We sometimes use common
flour barrel with two of tho slaves cut away
between the inside hoops Either of these
make as good nests as the most cxacting hen
can require.
In the bottom Of the box, barrel or what
ever may be used, some two inches of fne, dry
earth should be placed, made slightly CON
7caye.as-Q rsthisgplaee.s raodaxases Sao,sas
OF fine hay or soft straw; chopped my Sf
straw, shavings, moss, leaves, and MANY 9th.
or things cf a similar character, arc some.
times used, but should not be, if possible to
procure the proper material Do not make
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 the
season Of the year. A small hen should
never have more than ten eggs, and large
one not more than fifteen. A less number
should be given during the winter than in
the late spring or early summer Sprin-
kle finely slfted coal ashes among the ma
terlal OF the nest, upon the eggs and through
the feathers of the sitter. If coal ashes
cannot be obtained, use -four sulphur in
moderate quantity. Lice, the greatest pest
of the poultry raiser, arc the direct cause
Of numerous failures to hatch.
Every hen is not a good sitter. Some
are nervous and fidgety, 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 be 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 enough
to wet, but to slightly dampeu. 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 i.
cubating period, as these substances close
the pores of the egg and smother the chick.
DO not disturb the hen 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. If the
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 the 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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