Running Two Hens with One Cock. 



67 



We think this is the proper place for a few hints on the common, and sometimes necessary, 

 plan of running one cock to two hens. To do this in the most effective way, a cage of special 

 construction is required ; and as it forms in itself a complete apparatus, we append an 

 illustration. The dimensions are four feet in length, with a depth of ten inches, as usual, and 

 the height three feet. It consists of a roomy flight-cage, with three boxes on the top, the centre 

 one being twelve inches, and the others eighteen inches wide. The front of the cage, in the 

 cut, is framed of wood to screw on, the flight having a wooden cross-bar and wooden framed 

 door, and the top compartments a wire cross-bar and wire swing-doors opening in the usual way. 

 The open spaces in the partitions are for slides, of which two sets will be required : one of wood 

 for closing all communication, and the other of wire in a wooden frame, the use of which will 



FIG. 31.— CAGE FOR BREEDING TWO HENS. 



presently be apparent. In the illustration the slides are made short, but they can be carried back 

 the whole depth of the cage if thought desirable, and then, by removing them after the close of 

 the breeding season, a second "flight" is obtained. In each of the larger compartments put a hen, 

 and in the centre one the cock. Now shut off one of the hens entirely out of sight with a wooden 

 slide, and pass the cock through to the other. They can be permitted the run of both com- 

 partments if it be wished, but nothing will be gained by it except that they will be constantly 

 travelling to and fro, as if unable to decide which is the more fitting residence. Fit up the hen's 

 cage with all breeding requisites, and allow the pair to remain together till the hen lays her 

 complement of eggs. The cock may now be turned in to the other hen, and the first be entirely 

 shut off by means of the slide. This might have been done with perfect safety when the hen laid 

 her first egg, as the experience of most breeders goes to show that the whole will have been 

 impregnated ; but it is as well to allow her to settle down. By the time the second hen has 

 squared accounts with the cock for his desertion after the short flirtation through the wire slide 

 while he was in the middle cage, and has cither received him at once with open arms, or pegged 



