CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



Natural History of the Domestic Cock. Its Origin. Species. 

 Varieties. Anatomy. Moulting. Duration of Life P. 17 



CHAPTER II. 



The different Breeds or Races of Fowls reared in the United 

 States. The Game Fowl. Top-knot. Italian. Malay. 

 Bantam. Which to be preferred. Colour. Change of Breed. 

 Choice of Cocks. Proportion to the Number of Hens. In 

 some cases dispensed with altogether 28 



CHAPTER III. 



Necessity and Advantages of Conrinement. Poultry-yard. 

 Substitute for it. Feeding-hopper. Water-tank. Gravel- 

 box. Lime. Sand or Ashes 39 



CHAPTER IV. 



Fowl-house. Various Plans. Situation. Arrangement of the 

 Roosting Perches. Productiveness in Manure. Laying- 

 room. Nests. Nest Eggs. Not always essential. Best 

 Time for gathering Eggs. Secret Nests. Noxious Vermin, 

 and Means of destroying them. Kinderhook Bait . . 55 



CHAPTER V. 



The Egg. Its Composition. Anatomy. Monstrous Deviations 

 in Form, Size, and Weight. Distinction of the future Germe. 

 Quantity. Season of Laying. Uses and Value of Eggs. 

 Mode of preserving them. Those unimpregnated the best 

 for that Purpose 73 



CHAPTER VI. 



Incubation. Anatomical Changes in the Egg during that Period. 

 Artificial Hatching. Chinese. Egyptian Mode. French. 

 The Eccalebeion. More curious than useful. End of In- 

 cubation 98 



CHAPTER VII. 



First Food for Chickens. Various forms of Coops Substitutes. 

 Forcing-frames. Situation. Clogs to prevent Scratch- 

 ing. Food. Artificial Food. Return to the Poultry-yard. 

 Feeding-coop . . 104 



