44 QUITTING THE HEN. 



there is no general rule, the most certain is, when 

 the hen begins to roost, leaving them; if sufficiently 

 forward, they will follow her; if otherwise, they 

 should be secured in a proper place, the time hav- 

 ing arrived when they are to associate with the young 

 poultry, as nearly of their own age and size as pos- 

 sible, since the larger are apt to overrun and drive 

 from their food the younger broods. 



The incision necessary to be made in the distended 

 and obstructed crop of a chicken pining and refus- 

 ng its food, we practised with success in the simi- 

 lar case of a hen, and of squabs or young pigeons. 

 Such incisions being made and afterwards stitched 

 up with a needle and thread as carefully as possible, 

 the parts soon unite. 



