Milford chronicle., 1918-02-15
Helping Old Biddy Perform Her Task
By J. H. MeFAUL, Jr.
(AH Rights ReSe,TeA

| ed DeIOre nlBnLIdll SO ludl lueIe VIII
be little or no trouble in making the
: transfer when night arrives.
Before placing the nesting material
] in the new or incubating nest it should
be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected,
and made of good clean straw, or some
| like soft material In making the nest,
press the straw down slightly in the
center making a slight hole in it, sim
liar to a pocket A good idea to fol-
low in preparing such a nest is to
place a little earth in the bottom Of
the box under the straw, or piece of
burlap several layers thick. This Of
ten prevents the breakage of eggs, and
in addition, supplies a little moisture.
No matter how much trObule you
take to arrange the nest Old Biddy will
reconstruct it, once she is given com
plet echarge of the operation.
The nest should not only be thor
oughly disinfected, prior to placing the
hen on it, but in addition the nesting
material should be given a thorough
busting with some good louise powder
every few days during the period of
incubation. This assists in keeping
down the lice which so Otter get the
upper hand during the brOOdy state
of the hen. Then, too, it is necessary
to treat the hen for lice during her
broody period by giving an occasional
busting with louise powder. Hold the
bird by the feet, after carefully remov-
ing her from the nest, and sprinkle
with the powder, after which rub it
well into the roots of the feathers.
This should be done about twice while
she is sitting.
The nest arranged for the hen to
perform her motherly duties should
be put in a place away from the nests
used for laying. if possible. This may
be easily done where one is equipped
with a brOoder house apartment, but
in many cases cases such provision is
impossible. Where the latter is true,
each nest occupied by a brOody hen
should be fitted up with a Slated wire |
front, to prevent the laying hens from |
with her in the perfOr- |
nance of her duties.
Such device also serves to prevent |
the broody hen from leaving the nest, |
only at such times as she may be lib
Grated for food and water. Few hens 1
will be found to object to being coop |
ed behind a screen.
The hen engaged in sitting should |
not be allowed to come off the nest |
but once a day, in the morning. for
food and water As far as possible,
she should be kept from the rest of
the flock when liberated, to prevent
her from being worried and buffeted
about by them.
Provide a liberal supply of both
food and water for her
each morning and allow her to eat all
she desires. A most important hing
o provide for the use of Old Biddy is
/ good dust bath, of which she will
make good use. The brOody hen will
90 regularly to this bath each morn
ng. after grabbing a few mouthfuls
If food and a drink of water. and wal
ow in it to her hearts content. After
Ter morning bath" she will again par
axe of food and water and then return
o the nest The slated front can
gain be placed in position and she
will be secure until the following
morning.
Never annoy the hen while she is
If the nest but she should be watched
nd cOOped Immediately upon retaking
he nest after her morning exercises.
Don't fear that she will remain off the )
ggs for too long a time. Nautre tells
er when to return and she willingly q
beys nature.
Cracked corn should form a large
Ortion of the rations of the broody :,
en-, but other grains may be added.
lch as wheat and oats and a small .
lowance of green food 2
Nfrra ola nfd1rr o,,o I'M