Even if I didn't want to be kind to my hens, it would pay me to be so for sake of the profit they yield.
Of course they're quite a lot of trouble.

Sometimes they get vermin on them, and I have to grease them and dust carbolic acid on them, and try some of my numerous cures.

Then I must keep ashes and dust wallows for them and be very particular about my eggs when hens are sitting, and see that the hens come off regularly for food and exercise.

Oh, there are a hundred things I have to think of, but I always say to any one that thinks of raising poultry: 'If you are going into the business for the purpose of making money, it pays to take care of them.'" "There's one thing I notice," said Miss Laura, "and that is that your drinking fountains must be a great deal better than the shallow pans that I have seen some people give their hens water in." "Dirty things they are," said Mrs.Wood; "I wouldn't use one of them.

I don't think there is anything worse for hens than drinking dirty water.
My hens must have as clean water as I drink myself, and in winter I heat it for them.