Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1880-04-15
Setting Hens.

should be. To the latter we address
ourselves. AS soon as the hen shows
sigus of being brooly, which you Will
ob-erve by her remaining a long time
on the nest, and sometimes by cluck-
ine, then is the time to see that you
have everything in readiness to place
her where you wish her to remain.
The nest box, which she has been ac-
customed to lay in, should be portable.
After she has remained on the nest
two nights and dey in succession
move her nest and all very gently at
niqht where you want her, giving her
china or hard boiled eggs, which IN
case the hen proves q "trisky one,
will not be broken and teach her the
bad habit Of gg-eatlng. If she Will
come off the nest in the morning, eat
her feed, and return of her own ac-
cord, she can then be trusted with
good eggs. The nest should be roomy
30 she may turn around easily;
II inches by l6 is good. SIZE, not
mole than 7 inches high, so she will
not have to jump down to get on,
The bottom Of the nest should have
an inverted sod followed out so the
eggs will not roll, scooped out some
what the shape Of the inside bowl Of
spoon will give you the idea. A
few handfuls OF dry ashes, then short
straw, and it is ready for the eggs.
Hay is too great harbor for the YER
min, and remember the straw must be
short; for if long the hen is apt to get
her foot under the straws and mnSS
I'D the nest. Where it can be obtain
ed, moss makes the very lost lining,
its soft nature remaining spongy and
yielding, while both hay and str""
soon pack. Mark your eggs with NIX
when set, so you will know when they
ale due. Should during this period
of incubation, the weather be dry and
windy. the eggs should be slrlnkIed
with tepd water three times at least
say on the 18th and 18th days. 1t
is best done while the hen is oft eating
by using a hair brush dipped IN the
water, with which the eggs can be
very evenly and nicely sptnkled
This is required, because the lining
next to the shell, unless the moisture
is furnished, becomes, so to speak
parched, and it is difficult for the
chick to break it. This is often the
reason why there are dead chicks in
the she'll, even that have dipped
through with their heads and can
make no further progress Dampng
the eggs is especially necessary when
tie hen is confined, and has no out,
door run. Some say when a hen
steals her nest, how is it she matches
so well, and her eggs get no wettlng,
&c. A hen that steals her nest IS
most generally sure to have it on
the ground; and in seeking her food,
she usually goes abroad in the NOR.
ming and returns to the nest consid-
erablv wet with dew, and the heat of
the body, with her damp feathers, fur
nishes the moisture nature requires,
besides the natural evaporation that
reaches the eggs from the earth. On
the sixth or seventh day 90 at night
with a bright lantern and examine
each egg, by holding il up between
your finger and thumb, shading the
upper portion of The hand with the
other hand, and hold each egg ny be-
fore the light, and you will readily
observe all that have started will
be dark and cloudy; while, if there
are any that yet remain clear, they
are sterile and should be removed
Always place an uneven number un.
der the hen-not that there is any
luck in odd numbers, but because an
uneven number forms perfect oval.
See that dust bath is provided,
plenty of corn and fresh water. Some
let them come of and 90 on ct will.
My plan is TO have a regular hour to
feed and attend to them. Some think
because they have cent off and pnr-
chased eggs Of pure bred poultry,
they need some extra attention. 1t is
Lot so, and many thereby spoil the
settings which would, no d oubt, have
Matched well If not disturbed. Acct.
dents will occur, and should an egg
get broken over the others they should
be washed, by holding the egg in one
hand and Washing it carefully with