COMMON FOWLS. 



SECTION V. 



Choice and Treatment of Breeding Stock. 



GALLINACEOUS FOWLS. By a reference to the THIRD 

 Section, (p. 12.) which describes the qualities of each 

 variety of this species, a choice may be made of the 

 most suitable to the situation or fancy of the proposed 

 breeder. A breeding stock, of the common kind, is 

 easily procurable, either in town or country, from the 

 markets or individuals: particular and fancy breeds 

 must either be sought in those parts where they are 

 customarily bred, or at the shops of the London 

 dealers. 



It should be a general rule to breed from YOUNG 

 STOCK : a two year old cock, or stag, and pullets in 

 their second year. Pullets in their first year, if early 

 birds, will indeed, probably, lay as many eggs as ever 

 after, but the eggs are small, and such young hens are 

 unsteady sitters. Hens are in their prime at three 

 years of age, and decline after five, whence, generally, 

 it is not advantageous to keep them beyond that pe- 

 riod, with the exception of those of capital qualifi- 

 cations. Hens with a large comb, or which crow like 

 the cock, are generally deemed inferior ; but I have 

 had hens with large rose combs, and also crowers, 

 which were upon an equality with the rest of the 

 stock. Yellow-legged fowls are often of a tender 

 constitution, and always inferior in the quality of their 



