The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-05-31
sEyeniingsClaat
An Unusual Hen.


Chickens, we have always been led
to believe, have the least instinct Of
the many dumb creatures which In
habit the earth. However, nelghbor
of mine recently told me a tale about
hen which belonged to him which In
terested me greatly and led me to be.
lieve that some chickens at least are
tmbued with little innate common
sense. This is the story as told to me:
This hen, which was OF the brown leg
horn species, early In life met with
an accident which caused her to be
more or less cripple and resulted in
Disagreement in the shape of
crooked and much distorted neck
which fixed on her the name OF
"Crookedneck.' Soon after Crooked
neck" met with the accident which per-
haps changed the tenor OF her entire
existence, It was discovered that she
was unable to ny to her perch in the
chicken house. A box was at once
provided for her in order that she
might not be molested by rats, cats or
other marauders but even into this
box "Crookedneck" found 1t impossi-
BILE to climb. Her kind caretaker sees
ing her predicament took 1t upon him
self to lift the unfortunate hen into
, the box for few evenings and very
soon 1t was noticed that as the shades
of evening approached and the other
fowls of the yard were to be seen
vending their way to the shelter of
the henneries, this particular hen
would station herself in the vicinity of
her improvised cottage and there
await the coming of her benefactor to
tuck her in so to speak, for the
night. The hen even got SO far she
would cluck her approval and showed
not the slightest fear. Pretty soon the
hens crippled condition improved
somewhat and 1t was believed by her
owner that she could gain her shelter,
In the box at least, Of her own accord
but repeated efforts to get her to make
the attempt failed and to this day she
absolutely refuses to get into her
house but will wait indefinitely for
her owner to cary her to the box and
TO place her in 1t.
One evening the owner of the chick.
enyard for some unaccountable rea-
son neglected to house "Crookedneck"
for the night. On going to the rear of
the house some hours later imagine
his surprise when he discovered
"Crookedneck" seated at the top Of
flight Of steps which were in view
OF the house disconsolately awaiting
removal to her night abode. When
she was picked up and taken to her
box she croaked her disapproval of
this neglect in no uncertain croaks.
To show her appreciation of the
kindness accorded her the hen evil
denced the greatest fondness for her
benefactor and insists in following
him about his work. When he stops
for rest she stops too and rests near
him. She eats from his hands and
sometimes refuses to eat in any other
manner. She feels her importance
and refuses to associate with the 9th
or fowls Of the yard absolutely de-
clining to use the nests provided for
the hens to lay In. Repeated search
for her nest. for 1t was believed she
was laying, from the looks of her red
comb, resulted in failure. However,
one day recently while removing some
plants from hot bed which was sit
uated in a sunny part OF the garden, a
meet was found containing a number
OF eggs, and katch kept on Crooked.
neck" after this revealed that 1t was
really her nest.
1t Is needless to state that Crook.
edneck" is the star boarder Of the
bfrnyard.