lis POULTnT FEEDING AKD FATTENING 



rail to correspond with tlio iniml)er of ntviugs. To 

 these are fastened a sliort piece of wire, tliG top of 

 wliicli is l^ent in the sliape of a hoolv, which is fastened 

 into the ducli"s nose. This prevents the duck from 

 swinging its head around and soiling its feathers with 

 Ijiood. In dressing, the breast feathers are removed 

 as soon as possiljle. The feathers on the head, a few 

 on the neck, the flights in the wings, and the tail 

 feathers are left on. Duck feathers bring alMut fort^' 

 cents per pound, which about ]:)ays for tlie picking. 



Foreign Methods — In France there is a plan of 

 sticking followed, whicli offers advantages to the inex- 

 perienced. A special knife is employed. It is fitted 

 with a long, narrow blade, sliarpened on ))oth sides. 

 The bird is taken, its legs tied together, and laid upon 

 its back; the moutli is tlien ojiened with the operator's 

 left hand, and the point of the l)lado inserted into tlie 

 slit which will be found in the fowl's inouth. One firm, 

 sharp cut is made right along the skull from back to 

 front, piercing the brain most effectually. To do this 

 properly the knife must be forced right through to the 

 ])ack of the skull, and the l^rain cut along its entire 

 length. The bird should be hung for a few minut'?s 

 to allow the l^lood to drain away, when plucking can 

 take place. If the operation is projierly ]ierformed 

 death is very speedy, and tliere is only momentary pain. 

 Care must tie taken to cut the Ijrain as described or tlie 

 Ijird's death will be a slow one. 



Wrinf/ing the Kerl,- — Fowls intended for export 

 from Canadian ports to Fngland are killed by wringing 

 tlie neck. jMuch of the lilood flows into the parts 

 around tlie liead, from whicli it is drawn away by a 

 small cut. Tlie Ifird should lie lield firmly by the legs 

 in the left liand, the head in the riglit lietween two of 

 tlie fingers l)ack of tlie skull, the Ijack of the liird 

 ujiward. The legs are then pressed against the left 



