If a hen began to crow, it was thought some great misfortune was to befall the household unless the following charm was worked. The special fowl in question was to be caught and thrown across a three-maring-drain. That was a drain which separated the farms of three neighbours. Then when throwing the hen across the drain, the person was to say "All bad luck be with you." Then wherever that fowl strayed to, she was supposed to bring alll the bad luck or good luck.
If a cock crowed before twelve o'clock it was also considered an omen of ill-luck. Sometimes the poor innocent bird was killed, sold or drowned because of