THE BOOK OF POULTRY. 



backward condition. When we see in the 

 markets specimens, all equal in quality and very 

 nearly alike in size, this is generally due to the 

 fact that they have been selected from a large 

 number. We must not expect in connection 

 with poultry any different results from what 

 we find in all other branches of stock. 



"A large number of birds are killed in what 

 is called half-fat condition. These have simply 

 been put up for feeding, either in open air or 

 enclosed cages, without being crammed at all, 



and the result is to considerably 

 Half-fatted improve the quality of the flesh, 

 Fowls. and to some extent add to its 



quantity, though, of course, they 

 are not equal to the fully-fatted birds. Some 

 breeders who have never gone in for what is 

 known as the system of cramming, have ob- 

 tained a measure of results by putting the birds 

 into small runs and feeding them upon foods 

 likely to produce flesh. We cannot, however, 

 expect that if the birds are permitted to run 

 about they will ever increase in weight to the 

 same extent as when they are kept in strict 

 confinement. The reason for this is that the 

 latter birds are at rest and, consequently, do not 

 eliminate from the body by exercise those mate- 

 rials which would otherwise be utilised in this 

 way. In many parts of the country half-fatted 

 birds would be more profitable to produce at 

 first, by reason of the fact tiiat consumers have 

 not been educated to pay sufficient prices for 

 the fully-fed specimens. They might be tempted 

 to pay a little more for the half-fatted speci- 

 mens, and thus gradually be led on to the more 

 expensive birds. 



" In the South-Eastern districts of England, 

 when the birds are brought to the fattening 

 establishments, at any rate during the milder 

 months of the year, they are usually first placed 

 in cages out of doors ; and in the highways and 

 byeways of Susse.x, Surrey, and 



Sussex West Kent large numbers of these 



Fattening , ^ , . , 



Establishments, cages can be seen as we drive along 



the roads, or even from the railway 

 carriage windows. As a rule such cages are 

 placed in sheltered positions where they are pro- 

 tected from wind and, as far as possible, from 

 rain, though this latter cannot always be accom- 

 plished. These cages are about 7 feel 6 inches 

 in length and 20 to 24 inches from front to back, 

 the front, ends, back, and bottom consisting of 

 bars of wood, wide enough apart to allow the 

 birds to get their heads through in front, but 

 nothing more. The tops are usually covered 

 with thin match-boarding, but in some places, in 

 place of this, corrugated iron is employed, with 

 furze bushes laid along the top. Tlie cages are 



raised about 3 feet from the ground, and the 

 droppings fall through the bottom bars. Many 

 of the poultry fatteners make their own cages 

 during the slack season, and various forms are em- 

 ployed, but the cage described above is generally 

 admitted to be the best. How far this system 

 of using outdoor cages is suitable, is open to 

 question, because during the cold months 

 of the year the birds must take longer to 

 fatten by reason of the exposure, whilst in the 

 hot months of the year it is found in practical 

 experience that the birds do not fatten so well 

 either in-doors or out of doors, owing to the 

 excessive heat. During the warmer months 

 a cool orchard or copse is most suitable 

 for birds fattening, as it is cooler than where 

 more open, or in sheds exposed to the sun. 

 Of course, where outdoor cages can be 

 employed, a much greater number of birds 

 can be handled upon a given capital than 

 if they are accommodated entirely in sheds. 

 There are some parts of tlie country, especially 

 those districts which are more exposed, where 

 the out-door system would not answer at all ; 

 and wherever employed the birds should be welt 

 sheltered. Some of the best fatteners place 

 these out-door cages in the orchards which 

 abound in South-Eastern England, and such 

 conditions, except in very wet weather, are 

 specially favourable. Many parts of the country 

 could not provide protection of this kind. 



" The customary plan is to keep the birds in 

 these out-door cages for a week or ten days, and 

 during this time they are fed twice a day from 

 troughs. These troughs hang in front, usually 

 upon cords, so that they can be easily removed. 

 They are cut out of a solid piece of wood, and a 

 7 feet 6 inches cage, such as we have described, 

 with the trough, can be purchased for 6s. 6d. 

 Those birds which are to be killed as half-fatted 

 specimens are finished off entirely in these cages. 

 Where, how'ever, it is intended to fatten them 

 fully they are then removed to the sheds, in 

 which are placed similar cages ; and by reason 

 of the fact that the birds are kept much warmer 

 and absolutely protected from bad weather, they 

 fatten remarkably well under these conditions. 



" It is needless to describe at very great 

 length the various forms of sheds, as all kinds of 

 places are used for this purpose. Wherever 

 permanent buildings are available, provided that 

 they are well ventilated, their use saves a con- 

 siderable expenditure of capital. Mr. C. E.. 

 Brooke, of Baynards, had a large barn which 

 was turned into a fattening shed, and as this 

 is thatched it is wonderfully cool in summer 

 and equally warm in winter. There are other fat- 

 teners who utilise similar buildings. The large- 



