Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-03-10

Rearing Chickens With Hens
Sitting hens should be confined to
slightly darkened nests at Matching
time and not disturbed unless they
step on or pick their chickens when
Matching, in which case the chickens
should be removed as soon as dry, i'm
a basket lined with flannel or some
other warm material, and kept near
a fire until all the eggs are Matched /;
or the eggs may be removed and plac-
ed under quieter hen whose eggs are
Matching at the same time. An in
cubator may also be used to keep the
earliest Matched chickens warm, in
case they are removed from the nest.
If the eggs hatch mevenly, those
which are slow in Matching may he
placed under other hens, as hens often
get restless after part of the chick
ems are out allowing the remaining
eggs to become cooled at the very time
when steady heat is necessary, Re
move the egg shells and any eggs
which have not Matched as soon as
the Matching is over. Hens should be
fed as soon as possible after the eggs
are Matched, as feeding tends To keep
them quiet: otherwise many hens will
leave the nest. In most cases ii is
best that the hen remain on the nest
and brood the chickens for at least
- hours after the Matching is over.
Hens With Incubator Chicks
Hens are often used to raise incu-
bator- matched chicks and to take the
place of the artificial brooder, a prac-
tice that is in operation on many poul-
tTN A faU "A N AaT
the hen four or five days before the in
cubator is to hatch In the evening fol-
lowing the hatch Of the incubator, af-
ter the chickens are thoroughly dry,
one or two are put under the hen, and
if she is found to mother them proper
~ the next evening as many more are
added as she can brood or care for
properly. Hens will successfully brood
10 to Is chickens early in the breed
ing season, and is to rs i'm warm
weather depending upon the size Of
the hen This method of handling
chickens does away with the artificial
broodcr, and where one has only a
small number Of chickens 10 raise it
is a VERT easy manner in which to
handle them, and also "A good method
when it is desired To raise separate
borne in mind, in adding chickens to
hen which already has some to
brood. that il is best 10 add those of
the same color and age as the ones
already brooding. AS rule this
pick the later arrivals if they are of a
color different from the ones she is
already brooding As rule this
transferring should take place at
III Il.
it can be done in the morning.
Insect Powder Necessary
Powder the hen with a good insect
powder before moving her and the
chickens TO the brood coop. The hen
should be busted every two weeks or
as often as necessary until the chick
ems are weaned If lice become thick
on the chickens. or If they are troubled
with head lice" "A very little grease,
such as lard or vaseline, may be APP
piled with the fingers on the head,
neck, under the wings. and around the
vent. Great care should be taken,
however. not 10 get too much grease
on the chickens, as it will stop their
growth and in some cases may prove
fatal.
The brood coop should be cleaned at
least once week and kept free from
mites. If mites are found in the coop,
it should be thoroughly cleaned and
sprayed with Kerosene oil or crude
petroleum. From ! To 2 inches of
sand or dry dirt or thin layer of
straw or fine hay should be spread
on the floor Of the coop. Brood coops
should be moved weekly 10 fresh
ground, preferably where there is new
grass. Shade is very essential in rear
ing chickens, especially during warm
weather; therefore, the coops should
be placed in the shade whenever pos
sible. cornheld makes fine range
for young chickens. as they secure
many bugs and worms and have fresh
ground TO run on most of the time,
due to the cultivation of the ground,
and have abundant shade at the same
time.
Toe punch or mark all the chickens
before they are transferred to the
brooder or brood coop so that their
age and breeding can be readily deter
mined after they are matured Farm
ers frequently keep old hens on their
farms and Kill the younger hens and
pullets, because they are unable TO
distinguish between them after the
pullets have matured
ID ID fI