Norwich bulletin., 1916-03-23
INCUBATOR VERSUS HEN.
In Matching Choice Eags-Methods of
Preparing Nests and Precautions to
Be Taken.

although for many years incuba-
tors have been improved so that to-
day they give very satisfactory re-
suits in Matching. still the average
poGltryman who secures a few sit
tings Of choice, expensive eggs pre-
fers to trust them to the sitting hen
rather than taking a chance with a
kerosene lamp or a coal sove- A hen
can be left almost entirely to herself
a d she will bring on a good hatch
provided the eggs are fertile and of
good quality, but there are certain
points which should be followed even
IN he care and management OF sit
ting hens in order to get the largest
arJdrction OF chickens for the least
expense.
Even N-i-h- the best of care some
hens pruve TO be tickle mothers and
cause trn1ble either by breaking their
eggs leaving their nests. or trampling
On the chickens when first Matched.
The general purpose breeds as a rule
make the best hatchers. This IN
cludes Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes
Rhode Island Reds and Orpingtons.
The heavier breeds are good sitters.
but are inclined to be clumsy and
break egs and kill chickens. The
Mediterranean breeds are not depend
able, although occasionally a Leghorn
hen is found to be a good mother.
Where only few hens are Sc spe-
cial quarters are not necessary, but
where they are set in large numbers
8 separate room should be provided.
There are various styles of nests used
for sitting hens. Most anything Is
| satisfactory providing that IL is suf-
ficiently roomy. Birds should have a
nest Is inches square and Is inches
| high with a six-inch board in front
| to prevent eggs and nest material from
/ falling out Orange crates make good
nests for sitting hens. boarding them
/ up tight on three sides and using the
fourth side for a door. These crates
/ are little less than Is inches square
and will be a little small for large
birds.
Nests should be placed upon the
ground, and II they are arranged in
tiers three or four inches of damp
ear tn should be put into the bottom OF
each nest before every hatch. The
/ Meeting material may consist Of hay.
char or straw and should be packed
/ down firmly and shaped into a circu-
lar nest with the center slightly deep
er than the edges. This is Important
i particularly in cold weather, to pre-
vent the eggs from rolling out from
| under the hen
Hens should not be set until the
poultry keeper is sure that they are
permanently broody. Many birds stay
/ on the nests for one or two nights
and then begin to lay again. These
are very profitable for egg production
but not satisfactory for the prod lction
of chickens. A hen that really means
business starts to feather her own
nest by pulling the soft downy feath-
ers from her breast and by clucking
and ruff1ing her feathers. When a
hen has set on the nest for three
| nights in succession and most of the
feathers are gone from her breast the
indications are that she will make a
good mother. Before placing her in
her temporary quarters for Matching
she should be thoroughly busted with
some dependable insect powder. This
powder should also be sprinkled gen.
erously IN the nest
1t Is important that these nests be
placed In some quiet. out-of-the-way
place, where the birds will not be dis
turbed. When the transfer is made
from the regular nests in the poultry
house to their new quarters IL should
be done at night and the birds should
be handled very carefully. A few
china eggs or unfertile eggs should be
4 placed where she Is to sit and she
should be closed in. for "a hours. At
the end OF that time she should be al
lowed to come off to feed and drink
and IL she returns to the nest after
feeding and drinking the eggs may be
removed and eggs for Matching substi-
tuted.
Many poultrykeepers make the mis-
take Of putting too many eggs under
fashioned setting of Is eggs Is SUM-
Client Few birds can cover Is well
and eggs will protrude from under
their wings and become sufficiently
chilled to weaken the growing chick
en- In very cold weather, 10 or II
eggs is enough to place under one
hem
COMBATING THE CABBAGE ROOT
j MAoeoT.
Many farmers and people with small