Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-02-02
used third time, raising several hundred

used third time, raising several hundred
chicks.
When my hens get broody I set lot
together In one house using small shallow
boxes for nests-not over II or II inches
square-so that two hens cannot crowd
into one nest. set these on the floor all
around the sides and few inches apart,
SO that greedy hen cannot reach the
eggs from the next nest, as such hens are
very apt 70 break the tepth command
ment. [ leave water and food in the
house, SO that the hens can eat or drink
any time when theyscome off the nests
There are no perches In the houses or any
thing they can get on above the rests. a
dust box sunk level with the floor, filled
with sand and ashes, and with little
carbonate of lime or carbolic acid sprin-
klesl in from time to time, placed where
the sun shines on it through the windows
on clear days, viii keep the house clear of
parasites, little sod or grass in the
yard is good for their health.
don't have trouble once in fifty times
inrremoving Setting hen. 1 let her set a
lew days in the nest she has been laying
in, to see if she is in earnest; then l re-
move her sOme evening to the setting
house, place her nest on the floor and if 3
number Of others can be moved at the
same time, so much the better. Then [
hang something over the window to shade
the light a little. This may remain for a
few days until one learns that thew ali
mean business, and as soon as they set
tie down the shade should be removed,
and the slides into the yards may be left
open that the hens may get fresh air
whenever they please.
The advantages of this system may be
easily seen by those who have had to
spend a large portion OF Their valuable
time watching the setting hens or lifting
them off or driving them back every day.
AS many as possible should be set at or
about the same time-a few days are not
of much cOnsequence-so that if the hens
change nests it would not be of any great
importance, and if there are no more
nests than heus and the nests are a little
way apart, so that the hens cannot
quarrel, things will go on very smoothly
and much loss of time and vexation will
be avoided.
The second batch of setting hens should
be set IN the next compartment so that
they all come out together In the same
way as the first. The house should be
well ventilated every day and never be
tightly closed. as tie hens hatch they
should be removed with the chicks to
their coops where it is intended to raise
them.
The outlay of money for such build
ing to those who raise any number of
CHICKENS is trifiing com pared with the
outlay CT time required by the old fash
Toned way and much is saved, as the hens
do not break so many eggs. Of course
the nests should be looked after and kept
clean, but if little sal phur be sprinkled
in them, or what is better some tobacco
stems be used with the straw in making
them up, few will be troubled with vermin.
The hens should be lifted eff the nest at
times if they do not get off on their own
accord to see that no broken eggs, foul
the nest. If only a few chickens are
wanted, place AXIS feet. with low roof
and a door opening outward in eac h room
if divided will answer well.