45 



There is ordinarily from three cents to seven cents per pound difference in 

 the price paid for well fleshed or fattened birds, to that paid for birds just off the 

 range or fields. This means a difference of from fifteen to thirty-five cents on a five- 

 pound chicken, depending upon the quality. Not only does the feeder make upon 

 the gain made while the chicken is being fattened, but the original weight is in- 

 creased in value by the improvement in quality. There is always a market for 

 goods of prime quality, ond the poor quality goes at begging prices when the supply 

 is great. 



It is not difficult to produce good chickens. Like other lines of live stock, the 

 scrub sort are not desirable. Good thrifty cockerels, either pure-bred, crosses or 

 grades of such breeds as Eocks, Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds, Game, 

 Dorking, etc., make economical gains. It is usually not very profitable to feed 

 Leghorns, Minorcas, or birds of similar character. These breeds make medium 

 broilers, but rather poor roasters. The birds usually make the greatest gain when 

 about three to four months of age, or at a weight of three and one-half to four 

 pounds. Should the market demand a chicken of more than five and one-half 

 pounds in weight, then it will be required to allow the birds to range longer, and 

 the gain (in our experience) will be hardly as profitable, unless the price paid is 

 higher, at least one cent per pound. 



The average birds make the most economical gains during the first two weeks 

 of feeding. It seldom pays to feed much longer than three weeks or twenty-four 

 days, after this period the added gain is not sufficient. 



Chickens can be taught to eat by lamp-light, and where one's time during day- 

 light is otherwise occupied, this feature is very convenient. After November 1st, 

 or even earlier, we feed but few chickens during daylight. They are generally fed 

 twice each day, and not more each time than they will consume quickly. 



Construction- of Fattening Crates. 



Fattening crates are usually made 7 ft. 6 in. long, 18 to 20 in. high, and 18 in. 

 wide. The crate is divided into three compartments, each holding from four to 



Fig. 34. Showing a single crate or coop. 



five birds, according to the size of the chicken. The crate is made of slats, 

 except the ends and partitions between the compartments, which are solid wood— 

 those on the top, bottom and back running lengthwise of the coop, while those on 



