The Little Brown Hen
Last night I was up visiting with a pair of elderly folks up on the next hill over. Fred is in his 80s and I’m not sure how old Betty is, as its not polite to ask a lady such things. They live alone on the old farm, its about 200 acres with an old dairy barn, a workshop and some outbuildings, sheds and a corncrib. The kids didn’t want to farm and moved on. They are both spry and get around pretty good but Betty is cruising around in a wheel chair these days becouse of a broken bone. Every month they host the local John Birch meeting at the farm and Fred spends most of his spare time warning poeple about globalist, bankers and the CFR. This visit we were chating about chickens. Fred asked me if I could use an incubator. I said I could, and he took me out to the barn to show me “the little brown hen” as he called it. He said “Dad bought it new in 1930 and hatched alot of chicks with it”. He popped the top and said, “Now..the kerosen goes in here….and you light the wick right here…” Yes folks, I was given a 1930 non electric incubator. I’d never seen one before, I knew they used to make them but had never seen one. Its in working order with the origonal thermometers and all. No power, no problem! If any of you “old timers” out there have any tips on using this thing, let me know. If nothing else I have myself a pretty neat peice of history. Betty was very pleased that someone finally wanted and appreiciated it. She said they tried giving it to “the christian school” but they “wanted no part of it”. I think that kind of ticked her off. Well, we’ll see how many trys it takes before I can hatch out a batch.
May 20th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
We love antiques here, and we’re starting to collect some old farm tools, etc., to use around here. You are blessed to have friends like that and they are blessed to know someone like you who values the past and its wisdom and traditions. Things like that shouldn’t end up lost in the musty depths of an old barn, or even in a museum, but should be resurrected as pieces of our heritage that we can still make use of. Truly, without a woodstove, what would one do to keep the eggs uniformly warm? If you could post a picture, Scott, I bet I’m not the only person who would love to see your “new” incubator. Blessings to you and your family! P.S. I loved your post on reading with your boys. That should be something they (and you) never grow out of.
May 20th, 2006 at 5:18 pm
I am afraid I would be so delighted to have this too. In fact, I would surely use it to conserve electricity. You have been blessed.
May 20th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
When you fire it up keep us informed. I’ve been planning on buying one and it would be interesting to hear how they work. Up to about a year ago they had some for sale in the adds of Small Farmer’s Journal. Amish built, for in the $200 range I believe. It’s been on my to do list to write them and see if they still sell em.
May 21st, 2006 at 3:51 am
Hi Scott,
What a nice agrarian tool and piece of history! I’ve seen and studied such an incubator at the Cayuga County Agricultural Museum.
May 22nd, 2006 at 11:29 am
I’m with KsMilkmaid- I would be thrilled to have one too! Tom, if you find a source for them, let me know!
Congrats on your new agrarian implement!
May 22nd, 2006 at 6:31 pm
Hey Folks
I have not yet had a chance to set it up yet, not real sure how it goes together, but I’ll figure it out. Its not real big, probably holds a little more than a dozen eggs or so. I’ll try to take some pictures of it….been busy, you know.