Feeding Poultry 333 
will have an available supply of mineral nutrients which are es- 
sential in egg production.” ! 
FEEDING FOR MEAT PRODUCTION 
Fowls should be fattened for at least ten days to three weeks 
before they are put upon the market. This improves the quality 
of the meat by giving the right proportion of fat and lean, which 
makes it much more tender and juicy when cooked. There are 
two methods of fattening poultry in common practice, the pen 
method and the crate method. In the former method the fowls are 
fed in small yards or pens in flocks of from twenty-five to fifty each, 
while in the latter method the fowls are confined to crates. These 
are approximately six feet long, sixteen inches high, eighteen inches 
to two feet wide, and are usually divided into three equal-sized com- 
partments, each holding from four to six fowls as the case may be. 
536. Feeding the fowls. — Before the fowls begin to fatten they 
should be thoroughly dusted with insect powder to free them from 
vermin. This should be repeated at least twice during the fattening 
period. The fowls should be graded according to size to prevent 
fighting. During the first few days of feeding, care must be taken 
not to overfeed, as fowls somtimes overeat, and lose their appetite, 
especially at the beginning of the fattening process. The aim should 
be to give very little the first day and gradually increase, until by the 
end of the first week they should be receiving all they will eat three 
times a day. When moist food is given, feed just what the fowls 
will clean up, and remove what is rejected at the end of fifteen min- 
utes. This is essential to keep the feeding utensils sweet and clean. 
537. Kind of food. — There are many good fattening rations, 
but for best results, animal food, such as beef scraps or skim-milk 
is needed, even though the ration be balanced properly with grain. 
As arule, beef scraps and meat meal are expensive for the farmer, 
but skim-milk gives equally good results and should be easily: ob- 
tained on any farm. Some persons prefer to have all grains finely 
1 Bulletin 37. New York State Department of Agriculture. 
