A CAT HATCHING CHICKENS

I WISH to tell you a little anecdote about the doings of a bantam hen and cat that I had in the summer of 1876. I put seven eggs under the hen, for her to sit upon, and this she did with the help of the cat. When the hen came off to eat and drink in the day time, the cat would go on the eggs, and keep them warm until the hen came in; then the cat would leave for the hen to go on the nest, while she would sit upon the nest box, and watch for the rats and mice, that came to disturb the hen. When the chicks were hatched, puss would sit and watch them so, that no harm came to them when they strayed from the hen; and I think if it had not been for the cat, they would have been taken by the rats. I am happy to say, all the chicks which were brought up by the watchfulness of the cat and the hen are now living, and the cat visits the hen-cote up to the present time. 

References:

Chatterbox 1877