The Hope pioneer., 1922-12-21
SUCCESSFUL METHODS OF FAT
TEN|NC POULTRY FOR MARKET

The quality of market poultry can
be improved greatly and the weight
increased considerably by proper feed
ing for whiie before marketing. A
gain of 25 per cent in two weeks of
proper feeding is not uncommon, and
too, the quality is greatly improved.
1t does not pay to try to fatten every
bird, for 1t is found that some types
make small gains at the best. Stock
Of any age may be fattened, although
young growing stock uses it's feed for
both growth and fattening and so
makes greater gain per pound Of feed
than old stock Vigorous birds are the
most desirable for fattening, for they
get the most feed while the weaker and
more timid bird is crowded out. Crate
fattening is natural examining, and un-
less the birds are vigorous and strong
they cannot digest large quantities in
short time. The "crow-headed," back
ward sort of bird generally makes very
poor gains, so such an individual
should not be the type selected for
fattening. On the other hand, select
the strong, bold, vigorous type for
crate feeding.
crate.Feeding Best.
One object in fattening should be to
keep the birds quiet so that they will
conserve all the energy possible. To
insure this condition the birds should
be confined to crate or battery. A
homemade crate can easily be made
by using 2x2 lumber for frame work
with 2x4's for legs. and lath for the
remainder of the crate; or use pinch
mesh poultry netting for ends, top and
The lath on the bottom should be about
one and one-half inches apart so that
the droppings fall through to the tray,
or ground, below. The laths in front
should be a little farther apart so that
the birds can easily get their heads
through to eat from trough placed in
front. A "V" shaped trough made of
half-inch lumber is satisfactory.
In warm weather place the crate pre-
ferably in an open shed, and during
cold weather in room where the tenn
perature is above freezing. This crate
may serve as broody coop when not
in use for fattening stock. A crate
about "a inches deep, SO inches long
and 16 inches high will accommodate
about eight hens or 10 spring chickens.
Feed Good Ration.
A very palatable and digestible
ration is essential for fattening. A
mash feed moistened with buttermilk
or skim milk to mortar-like consis-
tency is best. Birds can be fattened
without milk. in which case meat scrap
or tankage is substituted. Gains in
this case will probably be little more
expensive, hut will still leave profit.
About Is per cent Of the mixture
should be composed Of meat scrap If
milk is omitted.
The North Dakota experiment sta
tion uses the following ration: 35 per
cent finely cracked corn, 35 per cent
middlings, and 10 per cent scrap or
tankage. (Afix with buttermilk).
The Wisconsin experiment station
recommends the following:
No. 1-6O per cent finely ground
cornmeal, 40 per cent Red Dog flour or
good grade cf white middlings. No.
$50 per cent finely ground cornmeal,
80 per cent oatmeal or sifted ground
oats, 20 per cent middlings. (Both of
these rations are mixed with butter
milk or skim milky
The Iowa experiment station uses
the following ration: 45 per cent corn
meal, 25 per cent oatmeal, 20 per cent
Red Dog flour, 10 per cent scrap or
tankage. mix with buttermilk.)
In warm weather these rations
should be mixed somewhat thinner
than during cold weather.
When first confined to the crate the
birds should not be fed for 18 or "a
hours. The first few feeds Should not
be too heavy. Increase gradually until
by the third day they are being allowed
to eat for Is to 20 minutes morning,
noon and night. Remove any feed left
at the end of that time so the birds
will be ready for the next meal. The
feeding period will vary with the bird.
Old fowls seldom make profitable gains
after being fed more than 10 or II
days, but young stock generally returns
profit If fed for IA or IS days.
Proper dressing of crate-fattened
poultry means more profit. Shipping
such stock to market alive results in
shrinkage In weight, and brulsing of
the flesh. Dressing consists of prODer