POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1900, 3 July 1890, Page 5

POULTRY NOTES.

As .the setting season iB about 'to commence a few hints on the subject may be acceptable. Hens should have their nests made on the ground, not in boxes with wooden bottoms or on shelves. A hen at liberty makes her nest on the earth, simply covering it with a little Btraw. Eggs must have moisture to prevent evaporation and that toughening of the shell and skin which often prevents the chick makingats way out, When boxes must be used, a grass sod or layer of earth 4in or sin thick should be plaoed in the bottom. The better way is to use a box having no bottom, but with fine wire netting stretched across, in order to prevent vermin stealing the eggs. This may be plaoed anywhere. A spadeful of fine soil Bhould be put within, and hollowed out like a Baucor. Upon this place a thin covering of straw, beaten until it is soft, or hay. Earth may also be placed round the box outside, level with that inside. Never force a hen on to the nest. Place the eggs in at night, and put her down in front, shading the light so that she oan see them. Then if she goes on herself it will be all right ; she oan bo shut in and left until the next day. If she deolines to go in, it will be better not. to rick the eggs. „.„... A hen must be allowed off for feeding onoe a day. If Bhe is in a place alone Ehe need not be Bhut in, but food and water placed within her reach. But when there are several Bitting, or the other fowls are near, it is better to close eaoh hen in, letting them out in turns. Food and water must be provided, and if possible a duet bath. Twenty minutes to half an hour is sufficient time for a hen to be off her neßt. Some hens sit so oloae that they will not leave oven for feeding. If this is the case, she must be lifted gently off by the wings, to prevent breakage of 6ggs tucked below, and not allowed to go back until Bhe has fed. If an egg is broken, or a hen fouls her nest, obtain a bowl of water heated until the hand oan comfortably bear it, and wash all the eggs, alao tbe breast, thighs, and legs of the hen. Then remake the nest and return eggs and hen. Eggs ought to bo teßted when seven days old. This iB done by forming a funnel with strong brown papor, plaoing the egg in the larger end and the smaller end to the eye, and looking towards the nun. If a chicken is forming the eye will be clouded ; if it ifl unimpregnatod it will be clear, but is quite good for cooking. Two dayß before hatching they can again be tested, but in water heated to 105deg., or as hot as the hand can bear it. The eggs containing live chickens will be soon to jump about, whilst the dead eggs will either sink or float movolcßßly. This water test will soften the shell and assist hatching. Hatching hens' eggs takes 21 days ; ducks and turkeyB 1 , 28 days j goese', 30 days. Infertile eggs oan never hatoh, and never become rotten. A rotten egg is a sign that there has been a germ of life. Chickens need no food for the first 24 hours after hatohing.