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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 38

Poultry. — Sitting Hens

page 49

Poultry.

Sitting Hens.

As an incubator and mother, the natural hen stands at the head of the list. No artificial heat is or can be made equal to the warmth of the parent hen; no mother like the one nature has prepared by instinct to know and feel the wants of her tender off-spring, when rearing them in a primitive state. When prevented from following natural habits, and placed, as it were, under influences foreign to the furtherance of nature's established rules, we must imitate as nearly as possible the conditions that govern these creatures. There is a difference in breeds, and the different breeds should not be allowed to associate together, not only for the sake of keeping each one distinct and pure, but the habits of one greatly interfere with the other. For instance, the sitter usually drops a certain number of eggs and then commences to sit, while the non-sitters continue the production of eggs throughout the entire season.

Perhaps there are no sitters that excel the Light Brahmas, both for the purpose of incubation and afterwards as mothers. For this purpose a hen with a mild, quiet nature is required. This breed has no pugnaeious proclivities, and for this reason, where in-tended to be employed as sitters, should not be allowed to associate with those that do not sit. Most of the non-sitters are quarrelsome, and given to mischief in one way or another. No hen will be allowed to sit where the Brown Leghorns hold domain; they are spirited and quite decided in their ideas. The Brahmas are persistent sitters, and when once thoroughly settled down to the business, can be removed to any place or position desired. To accomplish the best results, the regular sitters should be allowed a separate apartment. A grave mistake is often made in allowing hens to sit where others may lay into their nests. The sitter is always obstinate in retaining the nest, and the layer is determined to deposit her egg therein, and in the dispute oftentimes the eggs are broken. Otherwise eggs are frequently broken in the nest by heavy-bodied fowls, and yet it is expedient to employ such in the rearing of very early chickens. Their animal heat is greater, and young birds must have this, and at the natural temperature. Whenever an egg is broken in a sitter's nest, which often occurs by a mistake or accident of the hen in going off or on the nest, all the soiled eggs should be removed and washed in lukewarm water. Where choice eggs are to be incubated, it is better to remove the sitter to some quiet, retired place, with a subdued light, where she will be free from annoyance, and be undisturbed by other liens. Confine her for a day or two with indifferent or valueless eggs, until she becomes entirely accustomed to the new situation, which she will in a few days. A little watching is necessary when returning to the nest that she finds the right place.

The Brahmas are tractable in regard to the change, and, as a general thing are to be preferred before all others. When settled down to business, remove the poor eggs and give her good ones. The hen should be gentle, that she may be handled. Put the eggs under the hen one by one as she sits, and give them to her management. They may cost five dollars per dozen, but she will handle them as though they were worth but eighteen cents. If you have valuable eggs, be assured beforehand that you have a good hen—one that understands her business. After the third day (with eggs of the black breeds) the eggs may be candled without injury, if handled carefully, and the lion-impregnated ones selected. With the light varieties, a little longer time is required. If the eggs look page 50 dark, they are fertilized. It is better to remove all the clear eggs from the nest as soon as you are certain, that it may not be crowded.

Eggs may be fertilized and look dark, and yet only a small percentage may hatch. The chicks often die when fully formed, without breaking the shell. The writer knows this to be the case with nearly the whole of one hen's eggs. They were strong, largo chicks, but seldom came out of the shell alive. The shells were remarkably thick. It often occurs also that the chick will peep in the shell before it is broken. With a nervous, restless hen, this is destructive of young life, for in her movements to give relief she often crushes the shell and kills the chick. A mother that is hardened at this time against all such cries is to be desired, for, if left alone, the chick will generally need no assistance but a persistently sitting mother. C. B.