OCR Text |
Show An Old Hen. A western paper reports tho death of a hen that had arrived at the ripe old age of 14 years. She was a great layer for several years, but during tho last few years had laid no eggs. She was useful, however, as a sitter. During Dur-ing her life she was said to havo hatched out about thirty broods ot chicks. Wo have not yet been able to ascertain how old a hen must be before be-fore she ceases to bo profitable. Somo follow tho practice of killing off tho hens when they arrive at tho age of two years. This is doubtless a good practice with some brecdB. Doubtless also the rigid carrying out of the rule results In somo good layers going to an untimely death. Hero and there aro hens that have great vitality and fecundity and In somo cases theso qualities, doubtless, increaso beyond tho two years spoken of. |