THE COCK CHANGE OF COCK. 37 



as an example of merit and successful perseverance. 

 In the vicinity of most cities and large towns, chicks 

 and ducklings are reared in the autumn, for the Christ- 

 mas market. The business is done by the aid of arti- 

 ficial heat, by stoving, and with covered floors. 



The conduct of the cock towards his hens should 

 be early and constantly attended to, as it is a common 

 occurrence for him to conceive an antipathy to one or 

 more particular individuals ; should this continue, the 

 obnoxious one should be removed, since nothing but 

 misery can ensue to the unhappy and persecuted bird, 

 which will be harassed and chased about, and, unless 

 when hiding and moping in corners, will be always 

 liable to be torn and maimed ; and various examples 

 have occurred of a hen, under these circumstances, 

 being instantly struck dead by the cock. Such a hen 

 being removed, and replaced by a STRANGER, care 

 should be taken for the first week or two, that she be 

 not worried or injured by the other hens. 



A place of REFUGE should be provided for hens or 

 chicks in this unfortunate predicament. Whilst the 

 young feathers are growing after moulting, poultry 

 are extremely apt to peck and wound each other, 

 retarding their recovery. 



The CHANGE of a cock, from death or accident, is 

 always attended with interruption and delay, as it may 

 be some considerable time before the hens will asso- 

 ciate kindly with their new partner : and, further, a 

 new cock may prove dull and inactive from the change, 

 however good in nature. This frequently happens 

 with cocks of the superior breeds, purchased from the 

 London dealers, in whose coops they have been kept 



