XII. THE FARM, AND OUR FOOD SUPPLIES 



THE HEN 1 



1. TelLwhat kind of fowls you keep at home (if any), 

 and their distinguishing characteristics in color, build, etc. 

 How could you identify any hens of yours in case they were 

 to get with a neighbor's fowls? 



2. In what ways are chickens hatched? What care 

 must be given little chickens ? What feed is used for them ? 

 What other provision must be made for them ? What food 

 do fowls get for themselves when running at large ? 



3. Do hens chew their food as we chew ours ? How is 

 their food ground, and where? Why is there no need for 

 horses to eat gravel and bits of stone ? Does a hen have a 

 tongue ? 



4. What reason is there to believe that hens can hear? 

 Where in the head are a hen's ears located ? Where are the 

 nostrils ? How does a hen drink ? 



5. Do hens shut their eyes? What difference in their 

 eyelids from ours ? (Watch for a third lid that moves side- 

 wise over the eyeball.) 



6. Why do not hens fly as freely as do birds? Where 

 are the wings attached to their bodies ? Where in the body 

 are the muscles for flying ? 



1 It may be possible to have in the room for a few days one or more fowls 

 in a coop such as used at poultry shows. 



124 



