POULTRY FOR PROFIT 139 



trough should be taken away, thoroughly cleaned and 

 allowed to dry. 



"Water is not necessary except in hot weather. It 

 is advisable to feed grit every few days. Two weeks 

 is a good average length of time to feed. 



"The greatest gain should be made during the first 

 week, but it is profitable in most cases to continue for 

 another week. A three to four-pound cockerel should 

 make a gain of at least one pound in the two weeks 

 at a cost of not over seven cents for feed." 



A good fattening ration consists of 2 lbs. corn 

 meal; 1 lb. shorts; 1 lb. ground oats; 8 lbs. butter- 

 milk. 



Roasters 



Birds intended for roasters are hatched in the fall, 

 preferably in September, and marketed anywhere 

 from the last of January till the middle of March, 

 when they bring twenty-five to thirty cents a pound, 

 live weight. When one has plenty of room and the 

 right kind of birds roasters may be handled in this 

 way very profitably as a side line. The pullets make 

 excellent spring and summer layers. 



Whatever the age of the bird it is always best to 

 confine it for a couple of weeks before killing and 

 feed a fattening ration. The birds will weigh more 

 and command a better price. 



The most profitable way to market poultry, except 

 where private customers can be found for dressed 

 birds, is alive. Fattening and killing requires special 

 equipment which the poultryman as a rule does not 

 possess. Dressed poultry is also very perishable 

 and it is difficult to find a market save in a small 

 way. 



KILLING AND DRESSING 



Fowls that are dressed for market, whether public 



