32 HOW TO HATCH, BKOOD, FEED AND PREVENT 



Find a Good Market and Meet Its Demands 



THERE is one thing that is of as great importance in the business of 

 raising poultry as the feeding, breeding and management of the 

 flock; it is the business of finding a good market and preparing the 

 fowls for that market. It is true that anything that is well raised is 

 half sold, but to say that anything is half sold is only half enough. We 

 should be able to say that our stock is well fed, properly fitted and well 

 sold. When we are able to reach this stage of the game then we are in a 

 position to state what the possibilities of the business are. Remember 

 that desirable goods always sell easiest. When market prices are ruling 

 low, it is the best that obtains fair prices, while the culls are held over. 

 The undesirable stuff should not be put upon the market; it will lower the 

 standard of your better stuff. Keep the culls at home, feed them ^ up and 

 eat them, or sell on the home market, but do not ship them. This is not a 

 matter of theory to be written on paper and to be read so as to enthuse 

 people, but it should be put into practice, and those who put it into prac- 

 tice soonest will be the ones to make business a success. In every market 

 there are those who follow out these lines and the poultry buyers know 

 them, and their goods are always satisfactory and in demand. Markets, 

 as well as how to raise poultry, should be studied. This is a matter that 

 has more importance attached to it than it is given credit for. Study the 

 markets and try to meet them. 



How to Prepare Young Cockerels for Market 



IT is a waste of food to keep young cockerels after they weigh three or 

 four pounds each, as they are sold as "old roosters" after their combs 

 grow. In the market, old roosters bring from three to five cents per 

 pound, while young ones often sell from fifteen to twenty cents per pound. 

 The best way to prepare young cockerels for the market is to separate 

 them from the hens. Nearly every one has an old building of some kind 

 they do not use in summer. That will do to put them in. Peed them soft 

 feed, such as meal, potatoes and bran mixed in a mash, salt this a little 

 and you will be surprised how much they will gain in two weeks. It will 

 pay you to try it. Give them some green food, such as lettuce or cabbage. 

 They must have plenty of grit and pure, fresh water, or sweet skimmed 

 milk is better. They will grow as fast as capons and be ready for the mar- 

 ket in two or three weeks, I think that caponizing is a cruel practice and 

 is unnecessary. 



