MISTAKES IN SETTING HENS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1975, 23 June 1880, Page 2

MISTAKES IN SETTING HENS.

It is very unadvieable and unprofitable, for reasons which trill be evident as we proceed, to eet a single hen. Single ones, however, are much more frequently set than pairs or more. As many as possible, depending, of course, on requirements as well as space and convenience, ought to be eet simultaneously, so that the chickens may all come forth as nearly as possible at one time. It is a great mistake to make the nests in warm, comfortable bouses, in baskets, or on wooden floors. No hens bring forth larger or healthier broods than those who steal their nests in some out-of-the-way corner, under a hedge or thicket, acd exposed to all vicissitudes of the weather. It is wise to copy nature, and nothing can, therefore, be better for making the nest on than the bare earth or a bit of turf hollowed out just sufficient to prevent the eggs rolling out of it. A little broken or crushed straw will finish it, and make it look clean and tidy. Each nest should have a box or coop over it, with a door or board in front to shut it up, and which can be raised or opened to let the hen out to feed. A very good nest arrangement is to have a long box about one foot six inches in height, and the same in depth (without bottom, of course), divided into compartments, which should be sparred in front, and have a sliding spar in the centre of each, to raise and let the hen out. It may be made long enough to accommodate almost any number of hens, and should be placed in a retired situation, where it will be sheltered as much as possible. The best time to place the hens on their nests is at night, for then they are more likely to sit quietly and become accustomed to their new position j but there should be no hurry to put good or valuable eggs underneath them, for if they happen to be restless the eggs are likely to get broken, or the hens may even go off setting. A few common eggs will do for this purpose for a day or two, until all are setting steadily, when they should be removed, and the eggs from which, it is intended to hatch chickens, placed beneath them in the nests.