70 TO PROMOTE LAYING COCKS. 



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, per- 

 haps, 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 parti- 

 cular of obtaining plenty of eggs, than a good attend- 

 ance 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 the 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 



