Choice of a Cock. 77 



number of hens that should be allowed to one cock. 

 Columella, who wrote upon poultry about two thousand 

 years ago, advised twelve hens to one cock, but stated that 

 " our ancestors did use to give but five hens." Stephanus 

 gave the same number as Columella. Bradley, and the 

 authors of the " Complete Farmer," and the article upon 

 the subject in " Rees's Cyclopaedia," give seven or eight ; 

 and those who breed game-cocks are particular in limiting 

 the number of hens to four or five for one cock, in order to 

 obtain strong chickens. If fine, strong chickens be desired 

 for fattening or breeding, there should not be more than 

 five or six hens to one cock ; but if the supply of eggs is 

 the chief consideration, ten or twelve may be allowed ; 

 indeed, if eggs are the sole object, he can be dispensed with 

 altogether, and his food saved, as hens lay, if there be any 

 difference, rather better without one. 



The russet red is the most hardy colour, white the most 

 delicate, and black the most prolific. General directions 

 for the choice of fowls, as to size, shape, and colour, cannot 

 be applicable to all breeds, which must necessarily vary 

 upon these points. But in all breeds the cock should, as 

 M. Parmentier says, " carry his head high, have a quick, 

 animated look, a strong, shrill voice (except in the Cochins, 

 which have a fuller tone), a fine red comb, shining as if 

 varnished, large wattles of the same colour, strong wings, 

 muscular thighs, thick legs furnished with strong spurs, 

 the claws rather bent and sharply pointed. He ought also 

 to be free in his motions, to crow frequently, and to scratch 

 the ground often in search of worms, not so much for him- 

 self, as to treat his hens. He ought, withal, to be brisk, 

 spirited, ardent, and ready in caressing the hens, quick in 

 defending them, attentive in soliciting them to eat, in keep- 

 ing them together, and in assembling them at night." 



To prevent cocks from fighting, old Mascall, following 

 Columella, says: "Now, to slacke that heate of jealousie, 

 ye shall slitte two pieces of thicke leather, and put them on 

 his legges, and those will hang over his feete, which will 

 correct the vehement heate of jealousie within him " ; and 

 M. Parmentier observes that " such a bit of leather will 



