A COMMERCIAL POINT OF VIEW. 39 



also from their uneasiness whilst on their nest. Besides, 

 domesticated fowls are naturally of a sociable disposition, 

 and to separate a hen from her companions, and to keep 

 her on a low diet when she requires rest and nourishing 

 food to recruit her strength after she has become exhausted 

 from the pain of laying and the drain on her constitution 

 by the rapid formation of eggs, is the height of cruelty, 

 and would surely not be practised were breeders aware 

 of the injury they do the health of their hens. I do not 

 say that hens should be permitted to rear their brood, as 

 that would be waste of time, and most hard work to a 

 kind mother, who will but ill feed herself to provide as 

 much as possible for her young ; she has rest neither day 

 nor night, as she is compelled to remain in an unnatural 

 position to cover her young ones. The rearing can be 

 performed with greater success by artificial mothers, as 

 will be explained hereafter ; but what I do advise those 

 persons who have a regard for the health of their fowls, 

 and their own interest into the bargain, is to allow Nature 

 her own way by giving a hen her twenty-one days' rest, 

 and the while a quiet place and nourishing poultaceous 

 food ; after which time she can be returned to her own 

 home, when in a few days she will recommence laying. 



When a hen wants to sit she utters a peculiar cluck, 

 ruffles her feathers, and wanders about, searches dark 

 corners, and is evidently ill at ease ; she is feverishly hot, 

 and resolutely takes to a nest in which there are eggs, 

 whether of her own production or not matters little to 

 her ; at this time a hen will allow herself to be separated 

 from her companions, and placed in solitary confinement,' 

 without fretting, provided she has a nest and eggs to sit 



