POULTRY NOTES

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1935, Page 15

POULTRY NOTES

hatching with hens, f I Hatching under hens is still depended on for a large number of chickens { each season in spite of the wholesale outputs of incubators. There are pitfalls when the hen is used just as there are with incubators and many losses would be avoided if a little more care was taken Jn the selection! of eggs and in the choice and management of the broody hen. It is unwise to use thin or otherwise defectively shelled eggs, for even if they escape being crushed by the hen, such eggs rarely hatch out well ,and when they do there is a danger of the laying of such eggs becoming a fixed character in the progeny. The inclusion in a sitting of eggs varying much in size is another frequent cause of breakages through the larger eggs pressing on the smaller. In making up a sitting those of even size should as far as possible be selected. By far the most common cause of breakages is restlessness of the hen. Therefore, before entrusting a sitting to a broody hen, make sure she is docile and free from body vermin. Even the steadiest and most docile of broodies will become restless if she is subjected to- the attacks ofe body vermin. Nor will she remain quiet if her wants are not properly attended to. She should be taken off the nest and fed at precisely the same time every day. Her food should consist of maize or wheat or a mixture of both, fresh water, and a little grit. Maize is very suitable in .cold weather, as it is a good, heat-producing food. Dust the hen with a good insect powder on the eighth day and again on the nineteenth day. s The selection of hens for setting is important. A bird of medium size will probably give the best results, provided she has good healthy clean legs, and a quiet disposition. Light breeds ‘ such as Leghorns, do not make the most satisfactory sitters. They may bring off a good hatch and make good mothers, but they cannot be regarded as reliable, -and often leave the eggs when starting to hatch. The heavy breeds make good setters, .but are inclined to be clumsy, often breaking eggs in the nest and tramping on chicks. General purpose breeds; such as Rocks and Wyandcttes, are generally the most satisfactory setters, and a hen will usually set better than a pullet. Nests for setting hens should be in a quiet,. comfortable l.face away from the nests of laying hens. The nestboxes should be about 15 inches square and 6 inches deep. It is best to have them on the ground,, the bottom of the box being knocked out and the box half-filled with moist earth before the nest is shaped and the soil covered with a layer of hay, fine straw or pine needles. A sod of earth in the bottom of the box will also conserve the moisture. Without moisture the skin inside the shell of the egg is apt to become so dry and tough that the chick cannot peck through It, and conse-, quently dies in the shell. In very warm, dry weather, it is necessary to keep the soil under the nesting ma-1

terial moist especially at pipping time The idea is not to wet the eggs, but to create a moist atmosphere so that the moisture shall be drawn by the heat of the fowl’s' body to the eggs. Badly made nests lead to losses. If the nest is hollowed too much in the centre the eggs are apt to override. It should be shaped just enough to keep the eggs together. It is a good plan to place a hen on a few china eggs until one is satisfied she will sit steadily. She should be put on the nest in the evening. The number of eggs to be placed under the hen varies according to the size of the hen and the season of the year—--12 to 15 is the general practice. If eggs get broken in the nest the shells should be removed and some of the nest material replaced. Eggs badly smeared with yolk should be cleaned with rag dipped in warm water. After five or six days the eggs should be tested and any that are infertile or contain dead germs should be removed.

The hen should not be disturbed at hatching time except once or twice to remove the empty shells. If the hen is, inclined to remain on the nest with her chickens for a few hours after the hatch is over, she should be allowed to do so, and then be removed to a brooder coop.

GENERAL NOTES.

It is essential to have adequate scratching litter in the semi-intensive houses during the colder months.

Artichokes are keenly appreciated by fowls, who will scratch up the roots if they are slightly exposed wit. a spade. In addition, the plants make ideal summer shelter. Plant in the early spring.

Swedes or mangolds split in half can be fed with advantage if there is a shortage of green feed during the winter.