ROASTERS 385 



line, only operate the broiler farm during six or seven months of 

 the year, starting their first hatch in October and closing by the 

 last of June. When this practice is followed, it becomes impos- 

 sible for them to keep their own breeders and produce their own 

 eggs for hatching. Under these conditions, the methods followed 

 by Mr. Rice, of Dennisville, New Jersey, are of interest. Two or 

 three large poultry farms in the vicinity of Dennisville have con- 

 tracted with Mr. Rice to supply all of his eggs for hatching, same 

 to be selected and of good quality, and he to pay them a certain 

 stipulated price above wholesale quotations. This method has 

 worked out to the satisfaction of both the poultry farmer and the 

 broiler grower. Some of our broiler growers go even further, and 

 provide the male birds to be used in the pens which produce these 

 eggs. Mr. Rice has practiced this method for a number of years 

 with eminent success. This cooperation and specialization results 

 in greater profits to both the egg farmer and the broiler grower. 



Broiler raising, as an exclusive and distinct poultry industry, 

 is on the decline. Poultrymen are coming to realize the possi- 

 bilities offered by making the production of market eggs the main 

 issue, and are devoting only so much time to the raising of prime 

 broilers in season as may be profitably taken from other work. 

 This change in economic conditions results in greater profit from 

 the broiler produced, in more persons shipping broilers, and in a 

 steadier supply, and in a more stable selling price. 



Fryers. By a frying chicken is meant a young, rapidly grown 

 bird a few weeks older than a large broiler, weighing from two and 

 one-half to three and one-half pounds. There is little demand for 

 birds of this age and weight, and the price paid is so low that it 

 is customary either to dispose of them when at the large broiler 

 size, or, if they are beyond this stage, to hold them for soft roasters 

 at four pounds and above. The term " fryers " is not distinctive, 

 for chicks at all ages are used for frying, especially large broilers. 



Roasters. The growing of prime roasters as an industry is 

 centralized in two well-defined sections in the East, namely, along 

 the south shore of Massachusetts and in south-central New 

 Jersey. In these two sections much time and attention are de- 

 voted to this as an exclusive industry, but often as a side issue in 

 general farming. In Massachusetts the industry is carried on 

 more exclusively, while in New Jersey the great majority of 

 farmers plan to raise and finish from one hundred to five hundred 

 and, in some cases, over one thousand roasters. Roaster grow- 

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