The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-07-17
Straight Breast Bones
Need of Idaho Turkeys
Farm Markets Bulletin Tells Why
Gem State Birds Bring Less Than
Some 0thers-The Remedy.
SAYS the Farm Markets expert:

Says the Farm Markets expert:
In meeting with the dealers in poul-
try products, l find that many located
at Portland, Seattle, and Spokane,
make large purchases of turkeys,
poultry, and eggs in Idaho, and that
prices being paid for Idaho turkeys
are generally much less h a for
Washington or Oregon birds. When
| asked for reasons they had in pay
ing less for Idaho turkeys, | was in
formed that it was because a large
percentage of our birds have crooked
breast bones. The growth and condi-
ton of the Idaho turkey, with this ex-
ception, was as good, if not better,
than those grown in Oregon or Wash
ington. But when the turkey with a
crooked breast was placed on the re-
tail market, it had to be sold at from
sixteen per cent to twenty per cent
less than birds that were otherwise
in no better condition. The turkey
4 with a crooked breast bone cannot be
carved nearly so we'll and has not the
attractive appearance that the best
market demands.
From information we have at hand,
we estimate that within a seventy-five
mile radius of Caldwell, there will be
placed on the market this season,
100000 worth of turkeys, and judg-
ing from past experience, a large per
cent of these will have crooked breast
bones unless something is done to re-
the cause. This loss to the
Mower is enormous. For example:
On each turkey weighing twelve
pounds, commanding, in good condi-
ton, a price of "a cents per pound
dressed, or $2.SS, if sold at a loss of
sixteen per cent, would amount to SO
cents on each turkey, or $4,000 on
the turkeys that will be placed on the
market lnis year in the vicinity of
Caldwell alone.
We are informed that the crooked
breast bone is caused by the young
turkeys roosting on a small perch on
which they must rest their breast TO
balance we'll during the hours of
roostipg, and this could be overcome
by providing a round perch of suffi-
cient size that the easy resting OF the
foot, with slight natural grip of the
toes when the leg is bent, would per-
nit the body to balance without using
the breast bone as a prop. Do no
permit YOU turkeys to roost on the
ground, but prepare suitable perches
of a medium sized round pole or a
LWO-Dy-lOuT plduh Win Cu6S Wei
rounded and smooth.
We find that eggs reaching the To-
cal and general market are in a bac
condition, due in many instances tC
the lack Of proper gathering and care
on the part of the grower. Eggs
should, during the warmer weather
be gathered at least twice each day
and her placed in a cool room unit
they can be taken to market. Grow
ers, do not overlook this. Your care
lessness in this matter is clearly re
ducing the price you would otherwis'
obtain for your eggs.
Some growers are placing the1l
duck and hen eggs together On thu
market. This will lower you values
'Nbecause the market for duck eggs i
limited to a certain small trade. Thes'
eggs weigh much more than hen egg
do and ore dozen duck egg in a cas-
is easily detected by the dealer &C
quainted with his business, and tn
price offered is made less. In fact
one dozen duck eggs placed in a cas-
with good hen eggs, will reduce tn
value o. that case as much as though
the duck eggs had beer thrown ava
and the case contained n dozen les
hen eggs Pack your duck eggs sep
arate and sell them as such. The,
will nearly always find market a
everything else will if sold strictly Of
its merits.