Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-12-30

Within the last few wears there has
been evolved n new depa rtment in the
poultry industry which has become a
national factor in the commercial poultry
world. This new department is the milk
feeding of chickens in crates. Throughout
the country there are hundreds of plants
where anywhere from a dozen to 10000
chickens are fattened by this scientific
feeding method at one time.
A liveier demand. Il greater consump
tion. better price and customers fully
satisfied are the results OF this novel
system OF finishing chickens for market.
It marks the difference between a green
| and a finished product. between the prod
uct the critical buyer wants and what
he has to accept because there is moth
| ing better at hand
FLESH is TENDER AND JUICY.
Only those who have eaten a prime milk
fed chicken. properly prepared for the ia
BILE, understand the superiority of it's flesh
to that of the well-fed chicken allowed
free range. In the case OF the milk fed
the muscular tissues have been so soft
ened by close confinement that a thick
portion OF cooked meat can be severed
with the fork. whereas the activity of
the chicken on the range maintains the
toughness and natural resistance of its
muscles. Globules OF fat are dist ributed
| through the lean meat of every portion
OF the body OF the milk giving n
delicious juiclness and flavor when cook
ed that is rarely found In any other fowl
| Milk feeding chickens is simple un-
derak'ng that can be successfully con-
Quoted by anyone. II is n money making
business, because tho chickens are not
permitted TO exercise and waste their
food. and there should be no loss from
disease.
There are only four requisites: A sup
ply OF fattening crates In which the
chickens are confined. suitable chickens
for feeding. mixture of ground mea!
and quantity of buttermilk or WELL
soured skimmilk.
CONSTRUCTION OF FEEDING
CRATES.
Fattening crates are generally made
% inches high, and set on legs about
80 inches above the ground Each crate
is divided into four compartments to
prevent the chickens from walking from
end to end. The floor Is covered with
|
to the ground, keeping the crates sani-
tary. This wire netting floor will no,
affect the feet of the birds. The back
ends and divisions are also covered witt
wire netting.
The front Of the crate Is covered witt
narrow laths nailed on vertically to pro
vide sufficient divisions FOR all the chick
ems to cat at once from the V-shapeC
trough at the front Of the crate. Thi
feeding trough rests on notched support
nailed to the ends OF the crate, and shoult
he removable. The roof should protec
far enough over the crate to protect thu
, chickens from rain.
Place the crates outdoors in any she!
tered location, under some trees or in nj
open shed. Tho chickens are confined
, closely and require abundant ventilation
One of these crates 10 feet long will &C
commodats 60 pounds OF chickens
pounds to each compartment
Tho most suitable chickens to milk fee
are young Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Islam,
, Reds. Orpingtons and Wyandottes. Cross.
bred and common or mongrel chicken
, fatten satisfactorily. Leghorn and othe
light -hreed cockerels are excellent 70