Healthy Broody Hens. 109 



rejected. The result of the sanitary precautions dictated by 

 common sense was that, though a very large number of birds- 

 were reared on the estate, infectious enteritis never appeared 

 amongst them, and the birds, bred naturally, were strong, 

 hardy, and vigorous. 



Old hens, it should be remembered, are sometimes the 

 carriers of coccidiosis ; the disease does not affect the adult 

 bird, but is disseminated by the droppings, and in this way 

 sets up among the young birds a most infectious and fatal, 

 form of enteritis. 



It should be explained, finally, that the above description 

 refers to the system which was in use at Elsenham before 

 the European War. Since the war no pheasants have been 

 reared by hand at Elsenham, and all the pheasants shot have 

 been wild birds. 



The Elsenham method may be contrasted with that pursued 

 by another well-known breeder, who proceeds on a very different 

 system. I refer to that which has been recommended by 

 Mr. Christopher W. Wilson, of Eigmaden Park, Westmorland,, 

 of keeping laying pheasants in small movable pens, which can 

 be easily shifted so as to be over fresh ground. These pens 

 are made with close sides of thin |in. boards, the exact dimen- 

 sions being 9ft. square and 3ft. high, and covered at the top- 

 with 2|in. string netting. Into each is placed a cock pheasant 

 and six hens. No further shelter is provided as the exposure 

 to the rain is, as is well known, not injurious to these birds. 

 The eggs are collected every time the birds are fed, and the pens 

 are shifted daily on to fresh ground. 



The plan is said to have proved exceedingly successful, 

 one breeder, who has used the method for seven years, obtaining 

 40,000 eggs from his pens, each containing six hens and a cock. 

 The advantage of making these pens of thin light wood is 

 manifest. They are cheaper, to construct, costing only 10s, 

 each complete ; the sides, when the pens are taken to pieces 

 for storage during the winter, occupy much less space, and 

 the wood, being thin, does not absorb so much water during 



