The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1922-04-13
Hatching Chicks by Hen-Power
(By Prof. Frederic H. Stoneburn.
Poultry Editor of The World.)

(By Prof. Frederic H. Stoneburn.
Poultry Editor of The Worldly
According to the point of view, a
broody hen is ar unmitigated nui-
sance or 4 treasure. If one wants
eggs he views with more than ordi-
nary displeasurc the determined eff
orts of each motherly hen to be re-
sponsible for a family, in the mean
time neglecting her duty Of helping
to fill the egg basket. But if hen
Matched chicks arc desired the "cluck,
cluck, cluck," which tells the tale
of willingness to assume TIE trying
duty of Matching and rearing brood
of youngsters is music indeed.
This broody fever is almost IS leg-
ular as the tides and nearly as diff
f;cult to control. 1t will break out
when the proper season arrives, but
if one acts promptly the >yould-be
mother can be quickly "broken up"
end sent back to the job CT egg pro-
duction. If action is deferred, how
ever, the matter becomes mere COM
plicated. AS an example of sheer OBJ
stinacy the determined broody hen
takes high rank.
Try a Coop.
Many and varied are the methods
used to quell the fever, some of them
cruel, some merely stupid. Fright
and starvation are popular remedies,
but both are harmful and therefore
eestly to the owner. The damage
dcne in this way must be repaired
before the bird can again become p
steady producer. A simple breaking
up coop does the work far better, and
every poultry house should have this
necessary piece OF equipment.
Such a coop can be made OF laths
set about two inches apart, OF Of
poultry netting stapled en- wooden
frames. But whatever the construc-
t;cn of the top and walls of the coop
the floor should be of slate or netting
so the air can freely circulate under
meath the bodies of the birds. 1t
must be bit discouraging to try to
heat up all outdoors!
Make the coop roomy and suffi-
GENTLY high to permit tie birds to
stand comfortably upright. 1t may
be kept in the poultry house or, as
the warm season comes on, in a
sheltered place outside.
If hens are to be broken up, trans
fer them to the coop the very first
night they desert their roosts and
remain on the nests, quick action Of
This kind seems to shorten the break
ing-up process. Supply plenty of wa
ter and feed literally on egg-ilaking
food, especially the laying mash.
Green food daily is also desirable.
Dc not feed much corn.
Under such treatment the fowls are
rot debilitated; rather they are built
Up. the sgg-producing organs begin
to function again and the maternal in
stinct is forgotten for the tine being.
Ac soon as the birds begin to lay or
show evidence of . change Of heart,
restore their liberty.
If Encouragement is Needed.
So much for rcpressive measures.
Or the other hand, if eggs are to be
hatched under hens, give the bloodies
every encouragement. Judgment
slloud be used in this, however. Not
every brooiy hen can be developed
upon to properly attend 70 the. work
OF incubation and brooding. Those
which do not possess the proper quail
itications should be broken up and not
int1usted with valuable eggs.
The undesirables include such indi-
viduals as are very heavy end clumsy,
those of nervous and excitable tenn
p,rament, those in poor physical con-
dition. Hens which are medium lin
weight, in good flesh, and which are