Milford chronicle., 1918-02-15


| trymen are looking forward to getting
out the matches, which will provide the
/ future laying members of the flock,
and while many are wont to use the in
cubator for this purpose, there are
still others who prefer the natural or
| hen-hatched chickens.
While the percentage of the hens
which get broOdy this early in the year
is naturally small, still some of them
will get into this state, and it is up to
the attendant or breeder to prepare for
the occasion. Do not wait until the
hens get broOdy before you begin to
prepare for the wants and comforts
necessary during the period of incu-
baton.
The time is almost here when Old
Biddy will become brOOdy, and If we
are prepared to properly care for her,
it will help materially in getting OFF
early matches, and this means much
in the matter of producing fall layers.
By carefully watching the hens you
can readily tell when they are ap-
preaching the broody stage and can
then purchase your sitting from some
good breeder whose stock you wish to
get. OF course, this is in the event
you have no birds of your own which
have been mated up for the purpose of
improvement of the flock. If, on the
other hand, you have your own breed
ing pens you should be fairly well
equipped to handle the egg end of the
Matching industry without much trou-
Bile.
1t is the nature of the hen, when |
passing from her normal state to the
broody one, to remain longer on the
nest when laying than is her custom !
at other times. Indeed, they some /
times stay on the nest for an hour or
more. This ca nbe accepted as the
first sign of broodiness and can easily
be detected if one watches his flocks
carefully.
When such a bird is found, if you
will examine the nest very carefully,
you can see traces of small feathers
which she has dropped into the nesting
This is a sure sign that the
bird is getting brOody, for nature pro-
vides that she must lose the feathers
from under her body in order to keep
the eggs at the proper temperature
for incubation. The dropping of these
feathers is a dead sure sign that Mrs.
Hen is entering the broody or mother
stage.
The thirdand final test to acquaint
with the intentions of the
hen and the approaching broOdihess
is to note her actions when approach
e dwhile sch is occupying the nest
Ordinarily, when you advance to the
bird she will show shyness, alight
from the nest and run OFF greatly ex-
,ited Not So however, with Old Biddy
about to enter the broody state. In
stead she will crouch lower in the nest
and Immediately begin to utter sounds
most peculiar to herself. She is not !
o be condemned for this attitude for
ihe is only trying to tell you that she
wants to sit. OF course you are unable {
o understand her "hen language" but
hen her actions are sufficient for you !
o judge their meaning. {
If you persist in getting too close {
he will endeavor to impress upon you q
Ter intentions by peck on the hand \
which is anything but pleasant. Should I
II other signs of her approaching
roodiness fail to impress you, by this q
ign you shall know. When Old Biddy a
ssumes this attitude she is ready to t
begin operations.
If you have been attentive to busi- e
ess, however, you will have discover h
her approaching broodiness before o
MS and can arrans for her accom-
lodations. Everything 'se being in D
eadiness when the last sign appears, h
Ou can then proceed to pure the 81
sgs uDon which she :" :" al