132 THE HOME POULTRY BOOK 
inspired by the presence of lice in greater numbers 
than she can endure. There is no reason why a 
hen should not hatch two broods of chicks in suc- 
cession, if she is given good care. The first chicks 
may be removed to a brooder or given to another 
hen with only a few to look after. 
Capons may be used to brood young chicks and 
will care for them with the utmost patience and 
solicitude. They are better for chicks several weeks 
old than for very young ones, for they are so heavy 
and clumsy that they frequently crush their charges 
unless the latter are active enough to get out of the 
way, and they are so stupid that they will not think 
in time to lift their feet in spite of the victim’s fran- 
tic appeals. Apart from this failing, they are very 
satisfactory guardians of growing chicks. Some 
amateurs find it an advantage to have their cock- 
erels caponized, the cost being five to ten cents 
for each bird. The capons grow very large and 
make surpassing table fowl, while they may be kept 
in large numbers in small yards without any sign 
of quarreling among them. The plan is a good 
one when it is desired to keep a considerable num- 
ber of cockerels on hand to be served on the home 
table from time to time. | 
