Jge-^Health. 59 



will indeed, probably, lay as many eggs as 

 ever after, but the esfffs are small, and such 

 young hens are unsteady setters. Hens are 

 in tlieir prime at three years of age, and de- 

 cline after five, whence, generally, it is not 

 advantageous to keep them beyond that pe- 

 riod, with the exception of those of capital 

 qualifications. Hens with a large comb, or 

 which crow like the cock, are generally 

 deemed inferior; but I have had hens with 

 large rose combs and also crowers, wkich 

 were upon an equality v/ith the rest of the 

 stock. Yellow-legged fowls are often of a ' 

 tender constitution, and always inferior iu 

 the quality of their flesh, which is of a loose 

 flabby texture and ordinary flavour. 



The HEALTH of fowls is jobservable in 

 the fresh and Gorki colour of the comb, 

 and the brightness and dryness of the eyes, 

 the nostrils being free from any discharge, 

 and the healtliy gloss of the plumage. The 

 most useful cock is generally a bold, active, 

 and sava<re bird, cruel and destructive, in 

 his fits of passion, if not well watched, to 



