Hatching Chickens

There are many kinds of fowl including Rhode Island Reds, Leghorns, Well Summers, Light Sussex, Black Monorcas and a few others. The best laying hens are Leghorns and Black Monorcas and the best hatching hens are Rhode Island Reds and Well Summers. A Rhode Island lays about 13 eggs, and then she starts to clock for a few days after this and stays on the nest. She is put on the nest for 3 weeks. When the time is up the eggs start to hatch and the little chickens come out. They are not let out into the yard for about a week as they are too weak. When they are all in the hen the mother can get very wicked and would fly at anyone who would pass. To have eggs all year, the hens must be well fed with warm food including potatoes and meal. They must be kept in a warm, dry house.

Collector: Martin Kelly

Informant: Unknown

Place: Loughrea, Co. Galway

Footnote: Duchas, http://www.duchas.ie/