13a THE HOME POULTRY BOOK 



inspired by the presence of lice in greater numbers 

 than she can endure. There is no reason why a 

 hen should not hatch two broods of chicks in suc- 

 cession, if she is given good care. The first chicks 

 may be removed to a brooder or given to another 

 hen with only a few to look after. 



Capons may be used to brood young chicks and 

 will care for them with the utmost patience and 

 solicitude. They are better for chicks several weeks 

 old than for very young ones, for they are so heavy 

 and clumsy that they frequently crush their charges 

 unless the latter are active enough to get out of the 

 way, and they are so stupid that they will not think 

 in time to lift their feet in spite of the victim's fran- 

 tic appeals. Apart from this failing, they are very 

 satisfactory guardians of growing chicks. Some 

 amateurs find it an advantage to have their cock- 

 erels caponized, the cost being five to ten cents 

 for each bird. The capons grow very large and 

 make surpassing table fowl, while they may be kept 

 in large numbers in small yards without any sign 

 of quarreling among them. The plan is a good 

 one when it is desired to keep a considerable num- 

 ber of cockerels on hand to be served on the home 

 table from time to time. 



