THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 93 



assigned to one cock, but no more ; nor, indeed, even 

 so many, if the fowls are kept in a confined yard, where 

 the depressing influence of captivity will be more or 

 less experienced. In a cold or humid climate, perhaps, 

 this number is the best ; but in a warm, dry climate, or 

 where the fowls are healthy and have a free range, a 

 greater number may safely be allowed. 



When there are two or more cocks of the same age, 

 a little management will be required to prevent them 

 from fighting, which it will be almost impossible to 

 avoid ; but one cock may be brought up under another, 

 each, in turn, gaining the ascendency over the male 

 portion of the successive broods. For instance, a 

 stock of fowls, intended to be increased, may consist of 

 twelve hens, with a single cock at the head. Out of 

 the young chickens hatched, a certain number will be 

 selected for keeping. Among these should be the most 

 promising and beautiful of the young cocks. When 

 this new comer is a twelvemonth old, his progenitor 

 will have arrived at the age of two years. In like 

 manner, the number may again be added to, till the 

 stock is sufficiently numerous. When the old cock is 

 past his fourth year, however, it will be advisable, gene- 

 rally speaking, to get rid of him ; as he then becomes 

 lazy, violent in temper, and excessively jealous. Should 

 it be deemed necessary to procure a new cock, a 

 young bird should be selected, and introduced to the 

 hens at the period of moulting, when his older rival 

 will take but little notice of him, and ultimately become 

 reconciled to him by the time that the laying season 

 commences ; and, during the interim, he will ingratiate 

 himself with a certain number of the hens, which will 

 appreciate his marked politeness, and acknowledge him 

 as their brave defender. 



Where numerous fowls are kept, it has generally 

 been observed that each cock has his own female train, 

 which follow him, and is always at his call ; and that 

 they are divided into coteries, or groups, and have each 

 their favorite places of resort ; but should a strange 

 cock make a sudden appearance on the premises, he 

 will have many a hard fight before he can establish 





