POULTRY. 



87 



HENS. 



The hen is the most highly prized of all of the domes- 

 tic tribes. There are many species of this fowl-, each having 

 iis peculiar excellences, and being more or less productive, 

 making it difficult to recommend any of them above the oth- 

 ers. Hens properly kept, will pay three or four times their 

 first cost and feeding yearly. 



FOOD. 



Hens can be kept on almost any kind of grain or roots, though 

 they thrive best where they are allowed a variety of food. 

 They will eat freely corn, oats, barley, buckwheat, or boiled 

 potatoes, and green turnips. They likewise will devour green 

 cabbage, lettuce, clover, chickweed, plantain, &c. They, how- 

 ever, prefer corn to all other kinds of food. While permitted 

 to range the fields, they will obtain sufficient animal food by 

 devouring insects, but in winter they should have, once a fort- 

 night, a small quantity of fresh meat, chopped fine. It is gen- 

 erally supposed that hens do not produce eggs as rapidly ia 

 winter as at other seasons ; but if proper attention be showa 

 them, the difference will be scarcely perceptible. Corn, either 

 boiled or ground, is the most natural food for them ; yet they 

 require some lighter food, such as apples, boiled potatoes, tur- 

 nips, and other roots. It would be well to give them frequently 



