Book VII. BREEDING POULTRY. 1037 



6692. Breeding. The common variety is easily procurable; but the others must 

 either be procured from those parts of the country where they are usually bred, or from 

 the poulterers and bird fanciers in large towns, and especially in London. It should be 

 a general rule to breed from young stock ; a two-year-old cock, or stag, and pullets in 

 their second year. Pullets in their first year, if early birds, will indeed, probably lay as 

 many eggs as ever after; but the eggs are small, and such young hens are unsteady sit- 

 ters. Hens are in their prime at three years of age. and decline after five, whence, ge- 

 nerally, it is not advantageous to keep them beyond that period, 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, which were upon an equality with the rest of the stock. Yellow-legged fowls 



re often of a tender constitution, and always inferior in the quality of their flesh, which 

 s of a loose flabby texture, and ordinary flavor. 



6693. The health of fowls is observable in the fresh and florid color of the comb, and 

 the brightness and dryness of the eyes ; the nostrils being free from any discharge, and 

 the healthy gloss of the plumage. The most useful cock is generally a bold, active, and 

 savage bird, cruel and destructive in his fits of passion, if not well watched, to his hens, 

 and even to his offspring. Hens above the common size of their respective varieties, are 

 by no means preferable either as layers or setters. The indications of old age are pale- 

 ness of the comb and gills, dulness of color, and a sort of downy stiffness in the fea- 

 thers, and length and size of talons, the scales upon the legs becoming large and pro- 

 minent. 



6694. The number of hens to one cock should be from four to six, the latter being tJie 

 extreme number, with a view of making the utmost advantage. Ten and even twelve 

 hens have been formerly allowed to one cock, but the produce of eggs and chickens 

 under such an arrangement will seldom equal that to be obtained from the smaller num- 

 ber of hens. Every one is aware that the spring is the best season to commence breeding 

 with poultry, and in truth it scarcely matters how early, presupposing the best food, 

 accommodation, and attendance, under which hens may be suffered to sit in January. 



6695. The conduct of the cock towards his hens IS generally of the kindest description, and sometimes, 

 as in the Polish breed, so remarkably so, as to be quite incredible to those who have not witnessed it. It is 

 not an uncommon occurrence, however, for the cock to take an antipathy at some individual hen ; when 

 it continues for any length of time it is best to remove her, and supply her place by another, taking care 

 that the stranger be not worried by the hens. Spare coops or houses will be found useful on such occa- 

 sions. 



6696. The change of a cock, from death or accident, is always attended with interruption and delay, as 

 it may be some considerable time before the hens will associate kindly with their new partner : and fur- 

 ther, a new cock may prove dull and inactive from the change, however good in nature. This frequently 

 happens with cocks of the superior breeds, purchased from the London dealers, in whose coops they have 

 been kept in such a high state of temperature, that they are unable to endure the open air of the country, 

 unless in the summer season. Such being removed in autumn, winter, or early in spring, if immediately 

 turned abroad with hens, are liable to become .aguish, torpid, and totally useless ; perhaps, in the end, 

 turning roupy or glandered. The only method of safety in this case, is to keep such a cock in the house, 

 upon the best and most nourishing food, turning the hens to him several times in the day, and permitting 

 him to be abroad an hour or so, the weather being fine, until in a few weeks, he shall be accustomed to 

 the air, 



6697. In making the" nests, short and soft straw is to be preferred, because, the straw 

 being long, the hen, on leaving her nest, will be liable to draw it out with her claws, 

 and with it the eggs. The hen, it is ascertained, will breed and lay eggs, without the 

 company of a cock ; in course, such eggs are barren. 



6698. Eggs for setting should never exceed the age of a month, the newer to be pre- 

 ferred, as nearly of a size as possible, and of the full middle size ; void of the circular 

 flaw, which indicates the double yolk, generally unproductive, nor should there be any 

 roughness or cracks in the shells. The number of eggs, according to the size of the 

 hen, from nine to fifteen, an odd number being preferable, on the supposition of their 

 lying more close. The eggs to be marked with a pen and ink, and examined when the 

 hen leaves her nest, in order to detect any fresh ones which she may have laid, and which 

 should be immediately taken from her, as they, if at all, would be hatched too late for the 

 brood. It is taken for granted the box and nest have been made perfectly clean for the 

 reception of the hen, and that a new nest has not been sluggishly or sluttishly thrown 

 upon an old one, from the filth of which vermin are propagated, to the great annoyance 

 of the hen, and prevention of their steady sitting. Eggs broken in the nest, should be 

 cleared away the instant of discovery, and the remaining washed with warm water, and 

 quickly replaced, lest they adhere to the hen, and be drawn out of the nest ; if necessary, 

 the hen's feathers may also be washed, but always with warm water. 



6699. With respect to the capriciousness of smne hens, in the article of sitting, it is a risk which must be 

 left to the judgment of the attendant, who has to determine whether the hen which appears desirous of 

 sitting, may be safely trusted with eggs. Leaving a number of eggs in the nest is an enticement. Very 

 frequently, a hen will cluck, and appear hot for incubation, yet after sitting over her eggs a sufficient 

 number of hours to addle them^ will then desert them : and, probably, in the course of a few days will be 

 taken with another fit of incubation. Much useless cruelty is too often exercised, to prevent the hen 



