286 POULTRY PRODUCTS 



shipped alive. Market poultry is shipped in small crates 

 of about three by four feet, very lightly constructed and 

 slatted. Crates for shipping exhibition birds are much 

 heavier and more durable, the sides being usually solid, 

 and the top slatted (Fig. 158). Solid sides protect birds 

 from drafts, and also from any injury which might occur 

 if they were allowed to stick their heads out of the crate. 

 All live poultry should be shipped by express, and deliv- 

 ered to the express company at such a time that they 

 can start on their journey immediately after packing. 

 They should be provided with water and feed. Poultry 

 shipped alive bring a smaller price per pound, but it is 

 often the best way in which to dispose of fowls and poor 

 quality birds. 



Dressed Poultry. The fattening of poultry has been pre- 

 viously discussed. The preparation of dressed poultry for 

 market consists of three distinct operations; killing, picking 

 and packing. Birds may be killed in one of two ways. The 

 first, and probably the most common, is beheading, or cutting 

 off the head, as is done on farms and by inexperienced 

 poultry keepers. Grasp the bird firmly by the feet and wings, 

 being sure to hold it firmly to prevent fluttering. Place 

 the head on a chopping block, and sever it from the body 

 by one blow with a sharp axe or hatchet (Fig. 159). The 

 bird should be held firmly for two or three minutes until 

 bleeding and fluttering have ceased. 



The second method of killing is called sticking. This 

 consists in severing with a sharp knife, the large artery in 

 the back of the mouth (Fig. 160). This method is common in 

 killing poultry for market. The bird is suspended by the 

 feet, the head being on a line with the waist of the killer. 

 The head is grasped in the left hand, and the knife in the 

 right. With the point of the knife an incision is made at 

 the back of the mouth on the left side. This severs the large 

 artery and, if the head is held down, bleeding will be profuse. 



