584 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



fowls fed continually during the molting period on an egg produc- 

 ing ration. (West Va. B. 83.) 



(Publications on feeds and feeding quoted from and consulted: 

 Utah B. 51; Cornell B. 204; West Va. B. 115, 60; Ind. B. 71; R. 

 I. B. 84, 127 ; Cornell B. 249 ; West Va, B. 83 ; Cornell B. 211, 212 ; 

 N. Y. State (Geneva) ; Agr. Dep. F. B. 287; Me. B. 193). 



FATTENING POULTRY. 



Four methods of fattening poultry are practiced in this country, 

 viz.: Pen fattening, crate fattening, machine cramming, and hand 

 cramming. The first two are probably the most common to-day, 

 while the third is gaining rapidly as its results are becoming better 

 known, and the fourth is used only where but few birds are fattened. 



Pen Fattening. This is practiced by a great many people who 

 do not have the time and inclination to use other methods. The es- 

 sentials of pen fattening are quiet, darkness, except at feeding time, 

 and plenty of soft feed given at regular intervals, usually three times 

 a day. Birds may 'be kept in flocks of 15 or 20, but the sexes should 

 be separated. 



Crate Fattening. In crate fattening a few fowls are confined 

 in crates and fed from a trough. A crate 6 feet long, 18 inches high, 

 and 18 or 20 inches wide is suitable and is large enough for a dozen 

 birds. Sometimes such a crate is divided into two or three compart- 

 ments, 4 to 6 birds being placed in each compartment. But little 

 room for the 'birds to move about is desirable, for the less exercise 

 a bird obtains the more readily does it fatten. The top, back, and 

 ends of the crates should be solid if they are to be placed outdoors, 

 but if they are to be in a building they may be built of lath or slats. 

 These slats should be 2 inches apart in front, so as to permit the birds 

 to eat from the troughs which are hung just outside of the coop. The 

 slats of the bottom of the coop should be about 1 inch apart to permit 

 the droppings to fall through. In indoor feeding the crates should 

 be placed in a dark room, and just before feeding enough light 

 should be admitted to allow the birds to see to eat. They are usually 

 fed three times a day, and are permitted to eat for half an hour at 

 a time, when the room is again darkened and the uneaten feed 

 removed. 



Machine Cramming. For the best results a machine is essen- 

 tial, especially for the last ten days, for otherwise the birds will not 

 eat nearly so much as they can digest and assimilate. 



The machine is thus described: A reservoir under which is 

 placed a small force pump operated by means of a lever worked 

 'by the foot is placed on a tripod. A tube is fixed to one end of 

 the pump, through which the feed passes when the lever rod is 

 lowered. This tube is of rubber or metal. If rubber, it may have a 

 metal point. Metal tubes are more easily kept clean. The feed is 

 placed in the reservoir, and is made into the consistency of thick 

 cream. There are several ways of holding the bird, but the following 

 will be found simple and effective: Fold the wings and grip the 

 bird firmly either between the right elbow and side of the body, or 

 between the left elbow and the body, whichever is the more conve- 



