ROASTERS 389 



Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, and Wyandottes, are very 

 suitable. The Orpington makes good flesh growth, but the color 

 of the shanks is discounted by the consumer. This type of fowl 

 matures rather quickly and has juicy meat at maturity. The 

 early maturity reduces the period of feeding; hence each pound of 

 flesh is produced more cheaply than would be possible with the 

 larger Asiatic breeds. These breeds do not attain sufficient size 

 to admit of their being finished and marketed as large roasters. 

 It is necessary, then, to secure a bird of larger growth which will 

 have very tender flesh at maturity. 



The Asiatics are good for this purpose, the best being the 

 Brahma, and the light variety being generally preferred. Next to 

 the Brahmas, in respect to producing large roasters, is undoubtedly 

 the Langshan, especially the black variety. These birds are natur- 

 ally of large size, are full meated, and make fairly rapid growth, 

 often attaining a weight of seven to nine pounds at eight months. 

 The Cochin is a bird belonging to the Asiatic class, which has been 

 bred especially for feather growth, resulting in a marked deterio- 

 ration both in the amount and quality of flesh. 



Special Features of Roaster Management. — Roaster growing 

 as an exclusive business requires an extensive equipment for late 

 fall and winter hatches and suitable houses in which to grow 

 the chicks during the cold winter weather. On the contrary, 

 roaster growing for the fall and winter trade requires only the 

 simplest kind of pens or houses for developing the birds. The 

 size and style of the hatching equipment depend upon the number 

 to be run through, which is usually so small that no expensive 

 outfit is necessary. Extensive range and the keeping of the birds 

 in flocks of not over one hundred are customary. The best and 

 cheapest method is to give them free range, if possible, with small 

 developing houses scattered at short distances apart. 



Expensive and systematic feeding is unnecessary during the 

 growing period, if the birds have range which furnishes an abun- 

 dance of green feed and insects. Costly feeding comes just before 

 the time of marketing, when the birds should be closely confined 

 to put them in first-class condition by forced or systematic feed- 

 ing. The confinement stops their continuous exercise. Ground 

 grains are usually sufficient during the summer feeding period. 

 If we wish to hasten the growth, a dry-mash may be given. Shade 

 on the range is essential, as well as an abundance of fresh drinking 

 water, for the flesh of the well-grown roaster requires much water. 



