The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

or even beside a building or thick
hedge, which will serve to keep off the
sun and rain.
Crates may be set in single tiers II
there is room or piled one above the
other IL lack of space demands. The
former method is more convenient and
satisfactory generally.
Construction of Crates
These crates may be built of practi-
cally any size to meet tfe personal
preference of each operator, but the
standard dimensions are as follows: Six
feet long, 16 inches from front to back
20 inches high. inside measurements
Each is divided into equal compart-
ments by cross partitions set 20 inches
from either end. This makes three sep
arate cages, each 20 inches high, 20
inches wide and 16 inches deep.
The ends of the crate and the partt-
tions are solidly boarded up; floor
top, front and back are made of slats.
These run lengthwise of the crate on
the bottom, back and top, and up and
down on the front
The Stats for the bottom are seven
eighths inch wide and five-e ghts inch
thick; the rest are the same width
but only three -eights inch thick They
are set one and a half inches apart
excepting on the front, where spaces
two inches wide are left. Through these
the chickens thrust their heads when
eating.
Material used In the frame of the
crate is two inches wide. seven Ell ghths
inch sthick. The board used for ends
and partitions should be thin in order
to save weight.
The bottom Stats should be nailed on
the top of the bottom frame and the
one nearest the back should be two and
a half inches from the rear corners to
facilitate cleaning
On the top the Stats are not nailed to
the frame. but are attached to six cross
strips each two inches wide, two above
each compartment. They are then cut
above each partition, thus making three
doors, which are hinged to the back of
the frame and swing upward, giving ac-
cess to each compartment separately
The above describes the type of crates
used in single tiers. If 1t is necessary
to pile crates one above the other, the
tops should be constructed of matched
boards and provision made for door in
the front of each compartment
Each crate must be provided with
feed trough. These are V-shaped six feet
long, two and a half inches deep. and
may be built of any sound lumber. They
are supported ON notched brackets nailed
to the ends and projecting in front of
each crate. The bottom of the trough
should be some four inches above the
crate floor. and the upper inside edge two
inches from the front of the crate. OF
course, these troughs are never nailed in
place. but merely rest in the V-shaped
notches in the brackets.
When completed the crates are placed
on horses or simple stands about IS inches
high. Dry earth or other absorbent ma
terial is placed beneath to catch the drop
pings.
Chickens may be fattened at any season
OF the year, but among farmers the work
is usually done during the fall and early
winter, when the available supply of suit
able stock is large.
Chickens of any breed or variety may
be crate-fed but the Canadian farmers
are very partial to the Barred Plymouth
Rock. Any of the breeds in the American n
class will give general satisfaction, as will
the Orpingtons. But whatever the breed
the proper type of chicken for the pur-
pose should be selected. Stock which
has been stunted, or which lacks vigor
is not worth much. Avoid the thin lanky
birds, with "crow heads"
Let us consider the physical appeara nee
of the ideal bird as judged from the stand
point of the feeder, taking Barred Rock
cockerel as an example. He should weigh
from three and a half to five pounds,
and should in every way convey the i'm
preston of health and strength In the
general flock he will appear active and
alert. His eyes are large and clear, his
head short and thick, with short, stout
well-curved beak; his neck medium in
length and gracefully joined to strong
shoulders; his back fairly long and broad
the width being carried well down to the
tail; his breast full, with keel brought
well forward, the bottom line nearly par
allel with the back; his legs straight
and stout, and well set up on the Sides
thus giving them the appearance of being
wide apart.
A bird OF this kind has the blocky, OBJ
long shape which means plenty of meat
we'll distributed. There should not be any
evidence of coarseness. as the overgrown
specimens are not usually desirable. AS