Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-10-14
FATTENING FOWLS.
Peculiar Advantages of a Simple Method
Tested with Great Success.

Peculiar Advantages of a Simple Method
Tested with Great Success.
Dr.. Bennett says, according to his
experience, feeding-houses, at once
warm and airy, with earth floors well
raised, and capacious enough to ac-
commodate twenty or thirty fowls, have
always succeeded best. The floor may
be slightly Uttered down, the litter
often changed and the greatest cleanli-
ness observed. Sandy gravel should
be placed in several different LAYERS
and often changed. A sufficient num-
Der of troughs for both water and food
should be placed around, that the stock
NAV feed with as little interruption as
possible from each other, and perches
in the same proportion should be fur
nished for those birds which are in
desire after they have began to fatten.
but which helps to keep them easy
and contented until that period.
In this mode fowls may be
fattened to the highest pitch and
yet preserved in healthy state.
their flesh being equal in quality to the
barn-doOr fowl. To suffer fattening
fowl to perch is contrary to the general
practice, since it is supposed to bend
and defOrm the breast bone, but as /.
soon as they become heavy and indO-
lent from feeding they will rather IN
cline to rest in straw. and the liberty of
perching on the commencement of
their cooping has a tendency to accel-
crate the period when they are inclined
to rest on the floor.
1t has always been favorite maxim
among breeders that the privation Of
lightly inclining fowls to a constant
state of repOse-eXcepting when moved
by the appetite for food. promotes and
accclerates obesity. 1t may possibly
be so. though not promotive of health;
but as it is no question that q
state of obesity obtained in this way
can not be state of health, real
question arises-whether the flesh of an
imals so fed can equal in flavor, nutri-
ment and solubiiity that of the same
species fed in the natural waye Pc
cuniary and market interests may, per-
haps, be estianswered by the plan of
darkness and close confinement; but a
feeder for his own table. of delicate
tastes, and ambitious of furnishing his
board with the choicest and most salu-
brious viands, will declare for the nat
ural mode of feeding; and in that view
q feeding yard grayeled and sown with
the different kinds of grasses, the room
being open all day for the fowls to re-
tire at pleasure, will have decided
preference as the nearest approach to
the barn-door system.
Insects and animal food also form a
part of the natural diet of poultry, are
medicinal to them in a weakly state,
and the want of such food may some
times impede their thriving.
All practical and practicable plans
have their peculiar advantages; among
others. shat of leaving poultry to for
age and shift for themselves. Bus
where steady and regular profit IS
required from them, the best method.
whether for domestic use or sale. is
constant high keep from the beginning.
whence they will not only be always
ready for the table with very little ex-
ira attention, but their flesh will be-
superior in juiciness and rich flavor to
those which are fattened from low
and emaciated state. Fed in this mode.
the spring pullets are particularly fine.
ct the same time most nourishing and
restorative t0od-M 7. Hef0IS