27 



FATTENING CHICKENS. 



A number of experiments have been conducted in fattenino- 

 chickens for the market. There is an unlimited market for well- 

 fleshed fowls in England, and the demand at home is constantly in- 

 creasing. Fatted chickens were on September 18th, 190"^, selling for 

 13 cents per pound in Montreal, and the dealers could not get nearly 

 as many as they wanted. 



The English market requires a white-fleshed chicken, and our 

 best home market also appears to favor this color of flesh. Black- 

 feathered chickens, and those having black legs are not in favor. 



There is little use in trying to fatten scrub stock. Good pure- 

 bred males of such breeds as Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, and Or- 

 pingtons can be purchased at moderate prices, and these only should 

 be used to breed from. Very large chickens are not in favor. What 

 is required is a meaty bird weighing from four to five pounds. The 

 breast should be especially well developed, and should be plump, as 

 this is the most valuable part of the body. 



Construction of Fattening Crates. 



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

 high, and 16 in. wide. The crate is divided into three compartments, 

 each holding from four to five birds, according to the size of the 



^^^-. 



^^U 



Fig. 22. Showing a single crate or coop. 



chicken. The crate is made of slats, except the ends and partitions 

 between the compai'tments, which are solid wood — those on the top 

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

 front run-up and down. The slats are usually 1^ inches wide and 



