PUTTING THE HEN ON EGGS.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 28 August 1912, Page 7

PUTTING THE HEN ON EGGS.

It may seem quite a simpie matter to put a hen on a clutch of eggs and let her hatch them. That is all right in theory, bin in practice a yreit many more details have to be taken into consideration if the poultrykeeper, hopes for a good result to his labours. Careful hatching is one of the most important matters connected with fowls.

Choosing the Hen

The firsb principle in sitting a hen is to get one that is of a broody nature, and will remain on the eggs. It is quite useless to choose a bird at random because she is chucking and expect her to remain on a nest and bring up a family without first studying the habits and peculiarities of that particular breed. What are known as the heavy breeds such as Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks, Indian Games and Wyandottes will be found most reliable setters. Leghorns and Minorcas should be avoided, as they seldom, even if broody, remain with a nest of eggs until -they are hatched. The fancier need have no hesitation in trying cross-bred hens, especially if they have some of the blood of the heavy varieties in their veins. The breeder must be careful when selecting a bird to take one of the right age. Though some pullets make quite good hatchers, it is safe and better in the end to have an older hen, and one that has already proved of service in rearing and bringing up a family. Freshness and Fertility. Coming to the question of the eggs, the two great essentials are freshness and fertility. The first is useless without the second, the second without the first. The strongest chickens are invariably hatched from eggs that are taken warm and put under the broody hen. The fresher the eggs the sooner will they hatch, and fully a day is often gained by keeping this fact in remembrance. It is of vital importance that eggs that are used for sitting should not be more than a week old. Of course eggs kept longer than that have hatched., but the resulting progeny are never so' good as those obtained from fresh eggs. Another point which many breeders often forget is that eggs intended for sitting must be handled as little as possible. If kept in bran or oats they will be in better condition than if placed carelessly on a shelf and left until they are require>d for putting? under the hen. The pullers should be laying for a fortnight before their egg* are taken for hatching. Making the Nest. The broody hen must be made comfortable. If this is not attended to the results will be disastrous. It is generally conceded that the best place to put the nest) is on the ground; the hen must be protected from anything that •is likely to unsettle her. A strong weather-proof sitting box should be constructed with the bottom and front open. A strip of wood should be nailed across the front about four inches high. n door should be hinged on to the top of the box and some holes bored in the back for ventilation. The hen requires no light when sitting, but plenty of fresh air. A good position for the box is outside in a corner, sheltered from the rain } sun and wind. Remove the hen to her new nest after dark. About a dozen eggs is the best average to put under the bird. The broody hen should leave the nest every morning to be fed. This should consist of maize, wheat, or barley, and a good supply of greenstuff. She will, as a rule, only want one feeding and one airing off the nest in the day. After the first egg has chipped don't take the hen off the nest until they are all hatched. By carrying out this device the breeder should have no trouble with his hatchings.

Yoti will be less exposed to reproof from others if you take care to reprove yourself The only way in which a man can really rise in the world is by doing good in it. We come to understand, after many days, that it is the man more than the day that makes the difference.