Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-06-05

Experiment station.
COPYRIGHT, 1915.
From the time chicks attain an ago
OF from eight to twelve weeks II are
able to leave the brooder, the problem
of the pouItryman becomes of In
surfing a uniform, continuous growth
until the pullets T put Into the lay
ing houses I'm the Fall. In the case OF
the cockerels, the same problem Is
present until they are o for meat.
In thi article Prof. Lewis tells how
nURING the summer months the
successful poultryman makes
every effort to keep the young
stock growing rapidly. From the time
they leave the brooder the chicks
should not be subjected to any check
in their growth. for such a check re-
.tards development and makes them OF
small size and possessed of less vigor.
There are three factors necessary to
their satisfactory development: First,
the early separation of sexes second,
providing proper environment, ana
third. supplying sufficient nourish-
ment.
AS soon as the pullets and cockerels
can be distin guished, it is essential
that they be kept by themselves for
the remainder of the growing period.
The pullets. when running by them
selves, make a better growth, and FUR
thermore can be fed to secure a nor
NAL slow development at smaller cost
than would he necessary If they were
to be put into condition foS market.
The cockerels. on the other hand,
must be fed special fattening rations
in order to put on a high quality of
flesh in a minimum of time.
In the case of Leghorns. the surplus
cockerels should be disposed of as
broilers in most cases at about twelve
weeks of age or when they weigh
about one and one-half pounds. With
the heavier breeds, such as Plymouth
Rocks and Wyandottes. most of the
cockerels can be kept to the rooster
age and marketed in the Fall when
six to eight months old. The male
birds cannot be put into proper condi-
ton economically If they are allowed
to run with the pullets. They not only
require different methods of feeding
but the presence of each other acts as
an irritation and serves to check the
tproper growth of each.
The Following ration has proven
very desirable for finishing cockerels
which are to be sold Is broilers. II
should be fed mixed with skim milk
and in a crumbly. not sloppy condi-
ton. 1t is best fed in trough. only
enough being given at a time so that
the chicks will clean 1t UP between
each feeding. One feed of the mash
a day is sufficient. Equal parts Of
cracked corr and wheat should be fec
morning and night in addition.
Skim Milk BroiIer Mash
Ground oats rs lbs
iCornmeal 20 IDS
Wheat middlings ........... 25 lbs
Beef scrap 10 lbs
Granulated bone .......... 10 lbs
Iotal IDS
The broilers which are being fec
these rations should be given plenty
of green food and plenty of water tt
drink, and should have rather re
stricted range thus keeping down the
exercise and Fastening the formation
Where the heavier cockerels are t,
be grown to rooster age they should
be given during the summer plenty o.
green grass range with shade. WheI
they are from six to eight months ole
and two to three weeks before the!
iare to be killed, It will be found de
sirable to confne them in crates Of
small yards and feed them a specia
fattening ration.
For such purposes the following ra.
ton will be found very useful. 1
should be mixed very moist, with skin
milk il possible. If not. water will
answer. It should be fed in pans OF
water-tight troughs. No water SHOULD
be given the birds to drink during thu
finishing period other than what the!
get from the mash, the mash beinl
mixed very wet.
Fattening Mash
| ~ n col An 1he
Wheat middlings .......... 20 lbs
Ground oats 20 lbs
Beef scrap 20 lbs
IOIdI ......''s ..lUU IDS
Three feelings a day of the abov'
mash, If only small quantities ar,
given, so that the birds are allowed t.