172 



Sussex Poultry Methods. 



[JUNE, 



Contravention of the regulations is punishable by fines, confisca- 

 tion of the goods, notices in local newspapers at the defendant's 

 expense, or by imprisonment. 



The chief factors which have combined to further the pro- 

 gress of the Sussex poultry industry are division of labour ; 



the efficiency and simplicity of the methods 



Sil^s®^ Poultry employed ; localization, and all that that 

 Methods.* . . ' , 



implies economically ; and the advantages 



of an elastic commercial organization, without that loss of 

 independence which is more or less associated with the 

 membership of a private co-operative concern. 



Although in certain circumstances what may be termed " all- 

 round" poultry production may be successful, it is generally 

 recognised that the commercial poultryman' should specialize ; 

 and the industry is being split up among producers of eggs for 

 table, eggs for incubation, chicken rearers, chicken fatteners, &c. 



Thgse engaged in the Sussex industry have always specialized 

 in the production of fattened chickens, and in the majority of 

 cases the work is divided between the rearers and the fatteners, 

 while the collecting and forwarding to market form the special 

 department of the local firms of carriers. All who are practi- 

 cally engaged in poultry production, and have had experience 

 of the innumerable details involved in any branch, will 

 appreciate the many advantages of this division of labour. 



The methods employed by rearers and fatteners are both 

 simple and efficient. It' would be incorrect to say that artificial 

 methods of hatching and rearing are unknown in Sussex, but 

 it is no exaggeration to state that those who employ them form 

 but a very insignificant proportion of the whole. 



Hens ar9 almost invariably used for hatching and rearing, 

 and in nearly every month of the year, and under the most 

 variable climatic conditions, the young broods are cooped in 

 the open fields. This open-air treatment, combined with 

 frequent change of rearing grounds and the freedom of ample 



* See previous note by Mr. Hiust on this subject {Journal, March, 1906), and 

 "Poultry Fattening," {Journal, May, 1906), 



