THE PRACTICAL COUNTRY GENTLEMAN 



ing fowls for market, gives the following 

 method : 



" The fattening crate is usually made six feet six 

 inches long, eighteen to twenty inches high, and six- 

 teen inches wide. It is divided into three compart- 

 ments, each holding four to five birds, according to 

 the size of the chickens. It is made of slats, except 

 the ends and partitions between the compartments, 

 which are solid wood. The slats on the top, bottom, 

 and back run lengthwise of the coop, while those on 

 the front run up and down. They are usually one 

 and one-half inches wide and five-eighths inch thick. 

 Those in front are placed two inches apart to allow 

 the chickens to put their heads through for feeding. 

 The slats on the bottom are placed about three-fourths 

 of an inch apart, so as to permit the droppings to pass 

 through to the ground. Care should be taken not to 

 have the first bottom slat from the back fit closely 

 against the back. An opening at this point prevents the 

 droppings collecting and decomposing. 



" The best grain ration is composed of two parts 

 of very finely ground oats, two parts finely ground 

 buckwheat, and one part ground com. Increase the 

 corn and decrease the buckwheat if a yellow skin is 

 wanted. This mixture is by weight, not by measure. 

 To the ground grain, sufficient sour milk is added to 

 make the mass about the consistency of gruel, or so 

 that it will drip from a spoon like pancake batter. If 

 the milk is thick it will take nearly two pounds of milk 



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