148 THE PRACTICAL POULTRY KEEPER, 



fowls is an important point. With regard to mere regimen, 

 nothing can be added to what has already been treated of. 

 But it frequently happens that, on account of the high 

 price, only one or two first-class hens can be afforded ; and 

 if they be penned up by themselves, the frequent attentions 

 of the cock will soon render the hens unfit for exhibition, 

 or even cause temporary paralysis or sterility. To avoid 

 this, one, two, or more of ordinary hens should be added, 

 taking care that the eggs be of a different colour, or other- 

 wise easily distinguished from those of the breeding-pen 

 itself. The plumage and health of the hens or pullets 

 will then be preserved, without injuring the character of 

 the progeny. The same precaution must be observed in 

 spring if hens are absent from the run on account of 

 broodiness ; and some cocks require far more than others. 

 Of course, it is best in an established yard to mate the cock 

 with three or four good hens of his own breed. 



The number of hens, if good size and vigour are desired, 

 should not exceed four in the large breeds, unless on a grass 

 run, when we may allow six. The finest fowls of the larger 

 kinds are bred from the proportion we have stated. 

 Houdans and some others require more. 



For early eggs the breeding birds ought to be put 

 together early in December, and it is ruinous to exhibit 

 them afterwards. Mating should be decided upon carefully, 

 and then not altered if possible ; for many cocks turn very 

 sulky if separated from mates they have really become 

 attached to. This leads us to the question of paternity 

 when the male birds are changed. It has been placed 

 beyond doubt by many experiments that there is no real 

 rule about this, but that the results are very variable. As 

 far as a rule can be laid down, it seems that in most cases 

 when a cock is changed, after about six days the chickens 

 will mainly belong to the second. But it also appears that 



