400 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



mash should contain somewhat less of the concentrated 

 protein."' 



So far as routine is concerned, it is essentially the same as 

 for layers. 



Feeding Capons. — In tests at Ohio Station, Sherwood and 

 Buss^ found that capons fed a ration consisting of corn, 

 ground corn and meat scrap gave practically as good gains 

 as a more elaborate ration containing wheat, oats and bran 

 in addition, and gave a pound of gain a cent and a quarter 

 cheaper at the then prevailing prices. The capons used 

 were Barred Plymouth Rocks hatched June 6 and caponized 

 October 6. They were fed for a period of fifty-seven days 

 beginning December 12 and ending February 6. The birds 

 were hopper fed in pens and allowed to balance their own 

 ration. The average weight at the beginning of the feeding 

 period was 4.13 pounds and at the end was 7.24 pounds, mak- 

 ing an average gain of 47.77 per cent. The average feed con- 

 sumption per bird for the period was 11.38 pounds of corn, 

 5. 88 pounds of ground corn, 6.7 pounds of meat scrap and 

 0.4 pound of grit, shell and charcoal combined. 



Pen Fattening. — The final finishing of fowls for slaughter is 

 usually the work of the packer rather than the grower. It 

 is accomplished by milk feeding in crates. Farm-fattening, 

 when practised at all, is usually limited to penning the birds 

 intended for market so as to limit their exercise and feeding 

 them for a period of from one to three weeks on a somewhat 

 wider ration than is given for growing or laying, and increas- 

 ing the amount of mash, moistening it if necessary. 



Because of the fact that the final finish is put on by the 

 packer, fattening on the farm is usually unnecessary if the 

 birds have been properly fed for laying or growth. A hen in 

 prime laying condition usuallj' carries a considerable amount 

 of fat, and a rapidly growing bird will make more gain in 

 weight by growth than will be taken on in the form of fat. 



When for any reason stock has been restricted with regard 

 to feed or because of unfavorable conditions the chickens are 

 not in good flesh, it will be found profitable to feed mature 



1 Jaffa, California BulleHn No. 164, 



2 Oliio Bulletin No. 262. 



