PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 271 



dangerous to chickens the latter should be fully pro- 

 tected from risk of injury. 



CATS: The poultryman's or his neighbor's pet cat, 

 innocent feline, sometimes grows fat on chicken fare. 

 Wandering, homeless and semi-wild cats may make sad 

 inroads in the flocks of chickens. 



The home cat should be trained when a kitten to 

 leave the chickens alone. Punish the kitten even if she 

 jumps at a chicken in play. An excellent method of 

 correction for cat or kitten is to place her within the 

 coop of the mother hen and let the latter give the 

 feline a lesson in pecking, at close range. A cat that 

 is a good ratter and that will not injure chickens is a 

 desirable creature to have in the poultry plant. Several 

 such may well be kept as a prohibition to rats and mice. 



DOGS: A good dog will prove a very desirable de- 

 fender of the flocks and property of the poultry plant 

 from all other animals, including thieves. Bull dogs, 

 Collies and Rat Terriers have proved particularly good 

 protectors of poultry. 



Some dogs however will catch chickens. There is 

 especial danger from this source if vagabond dogs are 

 allowed .free range in the community. Fences often 

 fail to protect fowls from such enemies especially if 

 they travel in couples or companies on their foraging 

 expeditions. 



Any prowling cur that is a menace to the poultry 

 should be shot dead if the law permits and there is no 

 danger of reprisal by an angered owner. The least 

 that can be done is to pepper the trespassing canine 

 with bird-shot as a sign to keep his distance. 



FOXES: Foxes are very cunning but also very cau- 

 tious. If these lovers of poultry and enemies of poultry- 

 keepers are liable to visit the poultry plant a good 

 fox hound may prove useful. Traps or gun may be 

 brought into play. If a fox den is discovered its in- 

 mates may perhaps be smoked out by burning brim- 

 stone. Foxes do not however usually commit their 

 depredations in the neighborhood of their dens. 



To arouse the suspicions of a fox and cause him to 



