Milford chronicle., 1916-02-18
FOR THOSE WHO USE
'OLD BIDDY" TO HATCH EGGS
By J. H. McFAUL, Jr.
lAH Righks ReseyYeA

great deal of discomfort. After busting
her with the powder, rub it well into
! the roots of the feathers, particularly
} IN the fluff about the vent, under the
breast and wings and down the back,
as 1t is here that lice generally congre-
gate in large numbers.
The specially constructed nest for
purposes of setting should be in a place
apart from where the rest of the flock
is housed, if possible. If this is impos-
sible, then each such nest should be fit
ted with Slated or wire front, hinged
for convenience, and placed in a rather
dark corner of the poultry house. This
sort of front will prevent the bird en-
gagged in incubation from being worried
or disturbed by other members of the
flock, and incidently, prevent the break
ing Of many of the eggs under process
of incubation. The nesting material,
too, should be well saturated with
good louise powder before the hen is
permitted to take to it.
Allow the brOody hen to come off her
nest once eace day, but not oftener, as
frequently leaving the eggs has a ten
dency to cause the bird to get out of
the notion of setting. As soon as they
have returned each morning, for morn
ing Is the better time TO allow them to |
come off, the front should be again closed |
and fastened. A liberal supply of whole |
some food and fresh water should be /
furnished the broody hens each morning
while they are off the nest. In addition,
they should be supplied with good dust
bath, of which they will make excellent
use and which will hell materially to
keep their bodies clean.
In many cases a broody hen will come
of the nest when the front is opened,
IN which case she should be removed
and placed upon the floor. Remember
that a hen Is not ferOcious animal and
should never be treated as such. In case
II Is necessary to remove her from the
nest, 1t must be done in a most gentle
manner. Don't be afraid of her peck, p"
but gently slip one hand under her. and
with the other on her back, she NAV he
lifted off without causing her anv undue
excitement and with no fear of breaking
he eggs. Before lifting her, however,
gently raise each wing, in order that
she might release the eggs which are
Usually lowered under them. Under no i
grab her by the head or
pack and sling her from the nest as you
would wild animal.
Never annoy the hen while she is feed
ng and bathing, but allow her to take
Ter time to eat and drink as much as
he wants. She knows better than YOU
ghen to stop and likewise when to re-
urn to the eggs. Nature provides this
knowledge, and it cannot be improved
pon, Cracked corn should form large s.
art Of the rations of the setting hen. o
The number of eggs given to a hen a
lust necessarily be governed by cir.
Both the size of the bird
nd the condition of the weather. or
ather the season, must be taken into
Onslderation. During the extremely
arly Matching season, ten or twelve
ggs Is ample to give to each hen, but
the weather opens, this number may
e increased to from thirteen to fifteen.
ONE few persons will give as many as
ghteen, but would not advise theI =
sing of more than fifteen eggs in any e
ase. Many breakages are due to the 3
act that too many eggs are used. Less y
ygs, completely covered at all times, 81
sure better hatch than more eggs .
nproperly covered, as those that be- Y
'me exposed will not hatch, and in 4
lrning the eggs. the hen will naturally .
luse many of them to be subject to y
lis condition.
Let these or similar good hints govern 3
'ur care of the broody hen.