OCR Text |
Show few inches from the ground the hen will soon discover that it is impossible impos-sible to import warmth to anything and the broody fever will soon abate. Wherever the hen is confined, however, how-ever, don't withhold food or water and when released she will be ready to commence laying again in a short time. If it is not the intention to set them it don't pay to let the broody hens remain on the nests without attempting attempt-ing to break them up. If allowed to occupy the nests as long as they are disposed they will often sit for weeks and may not start to lay again for several months. BREAKING UP BROODY HENS Better to Allow Her to Stay on Nest for Two or Three Days and Confine Her in Airy Coop or Pen. (By W. F. PURDUE.) Confining broody hens in a tight coop without food or water for several sev-eral days, as practiced by some, will, no doubt, break them, but when they are released from their prison the hens are nearer dead than alive and In no condition to resume laying immediately. im-mediately. When a hen first becomes broody it is better to let her sit for a few days, giving the hen a rest and allowing her system to recuperate and then break her up. After remaining on the nest two or three days the hen may then be confined con-fined in an airy coop or pen, large enough to admit of exercise but free from anything of which she could make a nest. Feed her lightly and give her plenty of water. Another good jail for the broody hen is a small coop with a slat bottom bot-tom through which the air can circulate. cir-culate. A sitting hen must feel the sensation sensa-tion of warmth under her body when she 1b on the nest else she will soon give up the work. When confined in a coop such as mentioned and the coop is raised a |