PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



the market in the spring months when the prices are high. It 

 will pay to condition them. 



2. Broilers. These are young cockerels and pullets which 

 are usually marketed in June and July at a weight of two 

 pounds to three pounds. As broilers they may command a 

 better price than if held over till the following winter. 



3. Roasters. These are the surplus cockerels held over 

 till September. They are put on a fattening ration and sold for 

 fall consumption. 



4. Culls. These are fowls which are culled from the lay- 

 ing flock, usually in September. If conditioned they command 

 good prices. 



5. Capons. These are desexed cockerels, which attain 

 large size and are in great demand at fancy prices. They are 

 conditioned for the holiday trade, or in February for the late 

 winter market. 



Selling Purebred Stock 



The keeper of purebred poultry has sources of income that 

 the mongrel breeder does not enjoy. He can sell his eggs at 

 prices much better than the general market affords. Purebred 

 stock has several outlets, as day-old chicks, breeding stock, 

 and show birds. 



Day-old chick industry. Those who have had experience 

 in selling baby chicks know that the demand is always greater 

 than the supply. This industry has grown to mammoth pro- 

 portions. There are incubators in use that will accommodate 

 more than 500,000 eggs. Orders are always booked in ad- 

 vance. Shipments are made in specially prepared cartons of 

 corrugated paper. It is customary to give each chick a drink 

 of tepid water before shipping, but no food is given. Fed 

 chicks invariably perish. 



The bottom of box is provided with cut straw ; the size of 

 the compartment is reduced if the 'number of chicks is smaller 

 than the capacity ; in very warm weather extra openings are 

 made for ventilation if necessary ; and chicks are shipped when 

 one day old, not later if a long journey is before them. 



Where do the hatcheries get the eggs? It is customary to 

 establish purebred flocks among near-by farmers and these 

 furnish eggs at better than market prices. These flocks are 

 generally free range flocks sustained at a high standard. The 

 purchaser of chicks from the large hatcheries has the ad- 



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