45 

 DRESSING AND PACKING SQUABS. 



Squabs are usually ready to send to market when four 

 weeks old. Some well-fed ones, or those bred from the best 

 parents, will come to market condition a few days earlier 

 and some a few days later. As a rule, it will be about four 

 weeks from the time they are hatched until they are ready 

 to send to market. 



They should be dressed just about the time they are ready 

 to leave the nest, for they are heavier and fatter at that 

 time than they ever will be again. 



They should be dressed just at the time all the pin feathers 

 are out. They then have a solid feeling about the abdomen 

 and the breast is plump and full. It is very easy to learn 

 the exact time that squabs should be sent to market, and 

 anyone can learn it at once. 



Go over the nests in the evening and select the squabs 

 which are to be dressed the next day. These should be put in 

 a coop by themselves, where they can not get anything to eat, 

 so their crops will be empty when they are dressed. If they 

 are sent to market with full crops, the contents of the crop 

 will sour and ferment and spoil the squabs for food purposes 

 in a short time, while when dressed with the crops empty 

 and properly iced in warm weather, they will remain fresh 

 until they can be sold in the market. 



A "killing rack" should be made before dressing begins. 

 This consists of a frame not quite shoulder high, a 2x4 

 scantling making a good cross-piece for the top. In the side 

 of this cross-piece drive ten-penny nails about six inches 

 apart, leaving half the length of the nail protruding. 



Make loop of stout cord, looping it over both feet of the 

 squab, and by this string hang it on one of the nails. Then 



