The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1920-02-04

Given proper care and attention.
Madam Hen is still the mcsG convcn-
lent Incubator for The busy farmer
who raises q limited number of chick
ems. Mechanical incubators require
regular and frequent care OF the eggs
in them will become too cold or too
hot. The hen requires care and at
tention, but it is not necessary that
she have it quite SO regularly.
System and care in the management
of sitting hens will result in satisfac-
tory brooCs of chickens at COM
paratively small expense. However,
even with the best of care, some hens
prove to be tickle mothers and cause
trouble and loss in Matching by break
ing their eggs, leaving their nests, or
trampling on the chickens whcn first
hatchcd. Most hens of the general
purpose breeds, such as the Plymouth
Rocks, Wyandottes, Rhode Island
Reds, and Orpingtons, make very
good mothers. The heavier class, or
meat breeds, including The Brahams
and Cochirs, make good sittcrs, but
are inclined to be clusmy on the nest
The LcghornS and other Meditcrran-
can breeds are non -sttcrs and rarely
make good mothers.
How to Set Il Hen.
AS the time approaches for the hen
to become brocdy or sit, if care is
i.,1, u, OIL.
seen that there are a few, soft, downy
feathers being left there by the hen;
also, the hen stays longer on the nest
when laying at this time and on be-
ing approached will quite likely re-
main on the nest, making cucking
noise, rui'iNg her feathers, and peck
ing at the intruder. When it is noted
that Il hen sits on the nest from two
that most of the feathers are gone
fro mher breast, which feels hot to
the hand, she is ready to be transfer
red to the nest which has been pre-
pared for her beforehand
Dust the hen thoroughly with insect
powder an din arp!yi"g the powder
. hold the hen by the feet, the head
down, working the powder we'll into
the feathers, giving special attention
. to regions around the vent and under
the wings. The powder should also be
sprinklcd in the nest. The nest should
be in some quiet, out Of the way place,
,tyl,n {l,> "a L.
turbcd, and it may consist of hay.
chaN, or straw. Pack firmly and
shape out of it q circular nest which
will be deeper in the center than at
the sides. Move the hen from the rc-
gular laying nest at night and handle
her carefully in doing so. Put china
egg or two in the nest where she is
| to sit, and place a board over the
opening 50 that she can not get Off.
Toward the evening of the second day
nuitcly 90 in whore she is sitting,
leave some feed and water, remove
the board from the front or TOP of
the nest, and let the hen come off
when she is ready. Should she return
to the nest after feeding, remove the
china egg or eggs and put under those
that are to be incubatcd.
If the nests are SLIGHTLY darkoncd
the hens are less likely to become rest
less. At hatching time they should
be confined and not be disturbed un-
til the hatch is completed, unless they
become restless when it may be best
to remove the chicks that arc hatchcd
first. In cool weather it is best not to
put more than 10 eggs under hen,
while later in the spring one can put
II to Is, according to the size Of the
hen
Care Of The Sitting Hen.
If several hens arc sitting in the
same room, see that they are kept on
the nests, allowing them TO come off
only onrc a day to receive feed and
water, the feed to consist of corn,
wheat, or both. If there are any that
do not desire to come Off, they should
be takcn of. Hens usually rc.,:Yn TO
their nests before there j Sany danger
of the eggs chilling. hut if they DO
not go back in half an hour in ordin-
airy weather, they should be pat ON
the nest. The eggs and nests should
be examined and cleaned. Remove all
broken eggs and wash those that are
soilcd. ~ the latter case the soilcd
nesting material should be removed ,