its vs her

[Lucretia]

Hello,

Please, which do you usually say?
1. The hen is with its chickens. The cat is with its kittens.
2. The hen is with her chickens. The cat is with her kittens.
dog, puppies
duck, ducklings
I’d find her more logical. Most male animals don’t care about their offspring. And the hen is she, isn’t it?
Where is the black hen? – She (it ?) is in the shed.

Thank you.

[Bridget]

I'd say her is more common.

[Marius Hancu]

Logic wins this time:-)

32 on "the cat and its kittens".
606 on "the cat and her kittens"
http://books.google.com/books?q=%22the+cat+and+her+kittens%22&btnG=Search+Books

6 on "the hen and its chickens"
391 on "the hen and her chickens"
http://books.google.com/books?q=%22the+hen+and+its+chickens%22&btnG=Search+Books

[cookiejar09]

Based on your given example, her is the most appropriate.

[Bridget]

Based on your given example, her is the most appropriate.

I would say that depends on the type of text and audience.

[Lucretia]

Thank you all very much.