FATTENING 407 
choice, not of quality. Birds specially fattened are usually dressed. 
Small lots are shipped direct to the point of consumption. In the 
case of large feeding stations, they are put into cold storage and 
held for future shipment. The shrinkage in dressing is approxi- 
mately 14 per cent. 
When crate fattening is the method, care must be exercised 
to keep the crates in well-ventilated buildings, for fresh air is 
essential to the process. The coops must be cleaned regularly 
every other day, and disinfected at least every week. Careful 
records should be kept of the feed consumed and the gain in 
weight during the feeding period, to determine whether or not 
the practice is profitable, and to what extent. 
Extensive experiments with this method of fattening, made by 
the United States Department of Agriculture, led to the following 
conclusions by Alfred R. Lee: _ 
“The Plymouth Rocks and other general-utility breeds can be 
fattened at less cost than the Mediterranean breeds, such as 
Leghorns. 
Chickens of the same breed vary greatly in the amount of 
flesh they put on during the fattening period. 
Where a number of birds are to be fattened, the use of por- 
table coops or batteries is found most profitable; less labor is 
required, and the birds turn out in better condition. 
Low-grade wheat flour is one of the most economical feeds, 
being far superior to oatmeal. 
It will take approximately from three to three and one-half 
pounds of grain to produce one pound of flesh; hence the feed 
cost averages six to eight cents for each pound gained. The cost 
of labor per pound of increase is from one to three cents, according 
to the number and arrangement of the pens; therefore the total 
cost of a pound of gain, counting feed and labor, is approximately 
seven to eleven cents. 
Less expensive gain in flesh is usually made by short feed- 
ing periods ranging from seven to ten days. 
. Hens do badly under crate fattening, and it is usually un- 
profitable to attempt it; if fattening is necessary, the flock method 
will give the best results at small cost.”’ 
Records should always be kept so that the gains can be esti- 
mated; for it often happens that birds are carried through in small 
flocks by inexperienced feeders at a loss not only of money but in 
weight as well. 
