The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-01

times certain hens will refuse TO leave
the nest eacf, day and such should be re-
moved. Otherwise they may become %
thin that they will fail to bring of good
hatch.
The ration should consist entirely OF
whole grain. principally corn. small
amount OF green food may be given oc-
casionally. but this should be limited In
quantity and may be omitted entirely.
LIST each hen have all the grain she will
eat. Also plenty OF grit and clean. fresh
water. The busting place should be kept
clean, az II will be freely used
All nests should Be examined each day
when the hens are OF. II eggs have been
broken or the nest otherwise soiled II
should be cleaned UP and new material
added II required. Soiied eGes should be
wiped of. using warm water II neces-
sary.
There 10 a big advantaee In setting
three or moro hens at one time. Their
eggs may be tested Mt the end OF a week
and the infertiles thrown out. The fertile
eggs may then be doubled UP under GER
tain hens and new lots Of eggs given the
hens thus isf, idle. II also frequently
happens that the chicks may be given TO
a part Of the si,ters and the others re-
turned to the laying pens.
When the eggs begin TO pip. usually on
the night OF the nineteenth or the morn
Ing OF the twentieth day. the hens should
he given their fnai busting and induced
TO eat full meal. Good sitters viii
usually refuse to leave the nest after the
hrst chick appears. Sometimes II 10 neces-
sary to feed them right on the nest,
though this 10 rare.
A little careiessness on the part OF the
attendant at Matching time may mean
much loss. The hens should be watched
with great care. Sometimes excitabls In.
dividuals will pick their chicks to death,
and the babies should be removed at fire.
auens intervals and placed in . padded
box or basket. which 10 kept in q warm
spot. Other hens get nervous when they
hear the peep. peep OF their chicks and
in their efforts to quiet them trample
many. In such cases the above method
should be adopted.
Fortunately most hens seem to know
exactly wha, TO do and take the best
possible care Of the brood. Such should
be left undisturbed until the hatch Is
completed. II might also be remarked
that these hens may safely be entrusted
the task OF rearing their own chicks and
those Matched by the unreliable fndi.
vldusls mentioned above.
There 10 an additional danger Of loss
At Matching time which should BE- Guarded
against. AZ the chicks dry on and gain
strength they frequently come out from
beneath the mother and 90 on on little
exploring expeditions. II the sides OF the
nests are low the adventurous younssters
sometimes tumble on; and become chilled
before being discovered. II the hen is
unconfned she will often 90 to the rescue
or the wanderers. leaving the unmatched
eggs. II. on the other hand, she In con.
fined to the nest she may Triangle the re-.
naming chicks and eggs IN her efforts 10
go to the assistance Of tho crying young
sterv outside. This clearly Indicates the
necessity OF 20 arranging the nests At
Matching time that no chick can possibly
get out.
And. finally. nsft the bioodsuc kins
mites constantly. These tiny. spideriike
pests multiply at an astonishing rate IN
warm weather. and II they secure a lodg-
ment In the nests Of the sitters they will
cause no end Of trouble. Many times they
actually kill the hens.
Prevention is better than cure. See 10
II that the nests and hens are free from
vermn. II mites are found transfer the
hen and egss to . new nest and clean up
the old quarters. A thorough spraying
with kerosene oil in which napthaisne
fakes have been dissolved will kill tn,
trouble makers. Any good LIQUID lice
Killer VIII accomplish the Same result.
Copyright, 1913. BY George A. NcDevr.t
Company