Setting Eggs For Hatching

13 or 15 is the usual number of eggs to put under a hen. 11 is considered an unlucky number and Friday is considered a lucky day for setting a hen or a goose. The eggs are usually marked with a pencil before setting them, this is so that if the hen lays while in the box, the fresh eggs can be collected.

Collector: Unknown

Informant: Unknown

Place: Lickerrig, Co. Galway

Footnote: Duchas, ‘The Schools’ Collection’, www.duchas.ie