SHEDS AND PENS. 61 



accommodating from half a dozen to ten fowls in 

 each pen. In some cases we found them stacked three 

 and fom- tiers high, with boards between, but as the 

 birds are there only fattened for about a week, for 

 reasons which will afterwards be explained, there is 

 small danger of disease in this direction. As a rule 

 they are kept during the colder months of the year in 

 covered sheds, which are warm and comfortable, and 

 it is surprising how many can be so accommodated in 

 a single room. On farms the fattening cages, not 

 dissimilar from those used in Sussex, though single 

 and of a more substantial character, are placed in a 

 dark corner of the cowhouse, which has the dual effect 

 of keeping them undisturbed, and also in a warm 

 temperature. In one instance I found the fattening 

 pens in a room adjoining the bed-chamber. I am bound 

 to say that, even among the most successful fatteners, 

 very little attention appeared to be paid to the question 

 of fresh air, and I should not have been surprised to 

 learn that trouble was caused in this way. However, 

 no indication of evil results could be seen at any of the 

 places visited. In one or two instances the cowhouse 

 was decidedly better than already suggested, and there 

 seemed to be a fair idea as to keeping the cages sweet 

 and clean. The birds are almost entirely in the dark, 

 the object of this being, of coru'se, that they may not 

 be excited in any way. The best place, so far as 

 appearances are concerned, was at Pleuriat, upon a 

 larger farm than the usual run of the country, where 

 everything was done upon a good scale. A special 

 house was devoted to the purpose of fattening, and 

 though the accommodation was small, the fowls 



