PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 165 



yards. There is a considerable demand also for exhibi- 

 tion and fancy fowls. 



The mass of fowls sold, however, go as live ana 

 dressed poultry into the markets of the centers of popu- 

 lation to be consumed as food. Poultry is a favorite 

 article of diet in demand throughout the four seasons. 



Squab-Broilers: Chickens hatched in the winter 

 months and confined to brooders or brooding houses can 

 be grown rapidly for eight to ten weeks and will then 

 weigh from three-fourths of a pound to a pound and 

 one-half. These plump little birds are in demand as 

 squab-broilers for the tables of hotels, restaurants and 

 club-houses in some large cities. 



Spring Broilers: Chickens hatched in early spring 

 and grown to a weight of two pounds are in good de- 

 mand throughout the spring and summer season. 



Fryers: Chicks grown to a weight of about two and 

 one-half pounds are much in demand in some sections 

 for frying. In some markets, however, chickens weigh- 

 ing between two and three pounds are not desired. 



Small Roasters: Chickens weighing three pounds 

 or slightly over that weight sell well if plump and tender 

 of flesh. 



The favorite sizes of roasters sold in the fall range 

 from three to five pounds weight. 



Large Roasters: There is some demand for roast- 

 ers weighing eight to twelve pounds. Hotels and res- 

 taurants can use these sizes to advantage. 



Soft Roasters: A special trade has been developed 

 in roasters grown from chickens hatched in late summer 

 and early fall, kept growing well through the winter and 

 sold in the spring. The cockerels are caponized and the 

 pullets are marketed just before they would begin laying 

 eggs. Very satisfactory prices are obtained for these 

 soft roasters. 



Capons: Castrated cockerels retain tenderness of 

 flesh and become plump, juicy fowls for selling during 

 the late fall, winter and spring. Capons usually sell for 

 an advance in price over cockerels. If fattened by tne 



