Chicken and Poultry Farming in Germany. 867 
rae nt— a cleanliness observed in all the departments ; and even then 
it is difficult for an outsider to understand the possibility of long- 
continued avoidance of fouling and foiling the spaces occupied. 
The orchards contain some 1,200 fruit-trees, plums, apples, pears 
and peaches, which are sold, and go to North Germany and else- 
where. 
The illustration on page 866 (fig. 1) represents the front of the 
house, and it is interesting as showing the complete conversion or dese- 
cration of the old French chateau residence. The roof space is entirely 
occupied by newly hatched-out chickens, and they remain there for 
six weeks. Here, as elsewhere, the utmost attention is paid to 
cleanliness. There are three tiers of cages, with trays, well sanded, 
which, canary-cage-like, draw out. I saw about twenty chickens 
Fig. 2. 
in each cage. Any number of wood sparred fronts (fig. 2) are pro- 
vided, which are interchangeable and washed daily ; they drop into 
wood slots. 
The feeding trough, washed constantly, and always in use, is 
about a yard long or under. Section, full size, is shown in fig. 3. 
Fig. 3. 
The poultry courts or runs are at the back of the house, and each 
one averages perhaps thirty by forty paces ; they are on grass, with 
shrubs inclosed, and shelter buildings some seven feet high, in which 
the chickens are shut at night. They are, from six weeks old, kept 
in the courts, and for six weeks longer (i.e., twelve weeks in all), 
or to a period when best fitted for sale. Many are sold fat at three 
months old. There are, in all, nineteen courts, and an estimated 
mileage of wire net (close at bottom, larger mesh above) equal to six 
English miles. 
Several hundred fattening cages are in use in two or three tiers. 
They are without light except from the opening, as shown in the 
8ketch (fig. 4), and just big enough, and no more, to hold one bird. 
A very wide perch, oval on the section, is constructed within. 
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