CHICKENS 
OWNY little chickens make very de- 
voted pets. I once knew a gentleman 
whose home was in the country 
who always made pets of his chick- 
ens; and in the summer when he sat 
smoking on the piazza, the chickens 
would gather in a circle about him, 
and whenever he went walking across 
the fields, they would follow him in a long pro- 
cession. 
Chickens do best if allowed their freedom. If this 
is not always possible, they should at least have the 
advantage of a good sized yard in which to take their 
exercise. 
The chicken, when it is first hatched from the egg, 
is a fluffy little creature with bright, questioning 
eyes, and is so active that it very soon is able to fol- 
low its clucking mother into the field and there take 
the food which she finds for it. The conversation 
of chickens is particularly interesting, and should be 
understood by everyone who cares for them. The 
hen clucks when she is leading her chickens out for 
food, so that they will know where she is, even if she 
is hidden in the tall grass, and the chicks keep up a 
constant peeping so that she knows where they are; 
if a chick gets lost its peep becomes loud and com- 
plaining; but when it cuddles under its mother’s 
wing, its little note is one of utter contentment. 
Scientists have discovered that there are twenty- 
three different notes made by the chickens and their 
parents, and at least ten of these are easily under- 
stood by us. 
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