TO PROMOTE LAYING COCKS. 63 



hen, after good feeding, laid plenty of eggs of larger 

 size, and nearly double the weight. The largest 

 eggs will weigh two ounces and a half, those of the 

 Chittagong hen, perhaps, three ounces. 



To promote FECUNDITY and great laying in the 

 hen, nothing more is necessary than the best corn 

 and fair water ; but malted or sprouted barley, has 

 occasionally a good effect, whilst the hens are kept 

 on solid corn ; but if continued too long, they are 

 apt to scour. Cordial horse-ball is good to promote 

 laying in the cold season, and toast and ale, as every 

 housewife well knows. It must be noted, that no- 

 thing is more necessary towards success in the 

 particular of obtaining plenty of eggs, than a good 

 attendance of cocks, especially in the cold season ; 

 and it is also especially to be observed, that a cock 

 whilst moulting is generally useless. 



My practice is, to withdraw a cock under that 

 circumstance to a separate walk, and substitute an- 

 other, which is known and familiar with the hens, 

 since a stranger will not always be received, and 

 such a circumstance will sometimes totally interrupt 

 the business of the poultry-yard : these particulars 

 respecting the cock require the more especial atten- 

 tion, since, according to the old poultry books, one 

 cock was deemed sufficient for ten or even a dozen 

 hens, whereas in winter time, a cock to every four hens 

 may be necessary. BufFon says, a hen well fed and 

 attended will produce upwards of one hundred and 

 fifty eggs in a year, besides two broods of chickens. 

 I have observed, that a hen generally CACKLES three 

 or four days previously to laying. Some half-bred 



