200 



On the Rearing and Management of Poidtnj. 



fat for the indulgence of man. But its measure of punishment is 

 not yet filled — man must needs, to satisfy his cravings, cram food 

 down the prisoner's throat. The very idea is revolting and unfit 

 for minds refined surely the poor animal should be permitted 

 to obey the first law of nature. But stop : man, even not content 

 with taking away the liberty of this noble bird and of cramming 

 its food down its throat to gratify a vitiated appetite, goes yet 

 deeper in the dye of cruelty, and half-bakes the living bird, as 

 Soyer informs us, and for what? is it possible that it can be 

 for nothing more than increasing the size and delicacy of the 

 liver!" 



Cooping, by which the health is so materially affected, and to 

 which many therefore so justly object, is rendered almost neces- 

 sary, as cocks when allowed to mix with hens do not get to such 

 heavy weights (especially when young) in consequence of the 

 great attention they pay their fair companions, and from the many 

 quarrels which, as a matter of course, must ensue between rivals. 



This gallantry can be subdued by castration ; this operation is 

 performed when the cocks are about three months old, after 

 which they receive the name of capons. Knowing that the only 

 safe way of acquiring the art of castration is by seeing the opera- 

 tion performed, we decline giving directions, lest the bird be 

 exposed to unnecessary cruelty by some attempting the operation 

 who are unacquainted with its anatomy. 



Pullets sometimes undergo a similar operation to destroy their 

 reproductive powers, and are then termed poulardes. In our 

 opinion this is not an economical mode of proceeding ; instead of 

 which, we would strongly recommend the disposal of the oldest 

 hens. Old hens are not so profitable as young, and every year 

 reduces their marketable value ; and moreover, why not choose 

 eggs for incubation which contain the male birds ? The operation 

 is more dangerous when performed on old birds. 



Animals when castrated not only arrive at maturity considerably 

 sooner even when intercourse is not allowed, but become larger 

 and the flesh more delicate than when left entire. And had 

 we only the arguments of analogical reasoning, we would un- 

 hesitatingly conclude that the advantage of castrating fowls (which 

 are allowed to mingle with each other) is greatly in favour of the 

 feeder ; but argument is not required, the fact of the advantage 

 is established, and I am surprised at the art not being better 

 known. Many people object to it on the score of cruelty: why 

 not object to it in the horse, the ox, the sheep, and the pig? 

 The operation is only momentary. Capons are sometimes cooped 

 the same as other poultry. 



Coops are made in various ways ; that description which is best 

 adapted for the feeder is made to scarcely admit its tenant to turn 



