The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-12
By MRS. JOHN c. MOSES MiSsiSsippi City Miss.

1 by MRS. JOHN c. MOSES
 i Mississippi City. Miss.
 Given proper care and attention, Madam Hen is still the most convenient incu-
 bator for the busy farmer who raises a limited number of chickens. Mechanical incubators require regular and frequent
 care or the eggs in them vii become
 too cold or too hot. The hen requires
 care and attention, but it is not necessary | that she have it quite so regularly l System and care in the infringement of sitting hens will result in satisfactory | broods of chickens at a comparatively small expense. However, even with the
 best of care. some hens prove to be ficlxle
 mothers and cause trouble and loss in
 matching by breaking their eggs, leaving their nests. or trampling on the chickens i when first matched. Most hens of the general-purpose breeds, such as the Pry-
 mouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Rhode Island
 Reds and Orpngtons make very good
 mothers. The heavier class, or meat breeds, including the Brahmas and Coeh- i lns, make good sitters, but are inclined 1 to be clumsy on the nest. The Legnorns
 and other Mediterranean breeds are non- | sltters and rarely make good mothers l As the time approaches for the hen to
 become broody or sit, if care is taken I to look into the nest it will be seen that there are few soft, downy feathers be- ing left there by the hen; also, the hen stays longer on the nest when laying at this time, and on being approached will 1 quite likely remain on the nest making a clucking noise, ruffling her feathers, and peeking at the intruder When it t5 noted that a hen sits on the nest from two to three nights in succession, and that most of the feathers are gone from her breast, which feels hot to the hand, she is ready to be transferred to the nest
 which has ben prepared for her before hand.
 Dust the hen thoroughly with insect powder, and in applying the powder hold the hen by the feet, the head down, work 1 ing the powder well into the feathers giving special attention to regions around the vest and under the wings The pow der should also be sprinkled in the nest The nest should be in some quiet, out-of- the-way place, where the sitting hen will Tot be>disturbed, and it may consist of fhay, chaff or straw. Pack firmly and shape out of it a circular nest which will be deeper in the center than at the | sides. Move the hen from the regular Having nest at night and handle her care- | fully In doing so. Put china egg or two in the nest where she is to sit, and place
 a board over the opening so that she cannot get off. Toward the evening of the second day quietly go in where she is sitting leave some feed and water. re- move 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 incubated.
 If the nests are slightly darkened the hens are less likely to become restless.
 At matching time they should be confined and not be disturbed until the hatch is completed, unless they become restless, when it may be best to remove the chicks that are matched first In cool weather it is best not to put more than ten eggs under hen, while later in the spring
 one can put twelve or fifteen, according
 to the size of the hen.
 If several hens are sitting in the some
 room, see that they are'kept on the nests,
 allowing them to come off only once 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 taken off. Hens usually
 return to their nests before there is any