548 COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



still flowing, commence to remove the feathers, taking great 

 care not to break the skin or tear the flesh. Purple abrasions, 

 often noticeable on plucked fowls, are due to bruises and rough 

 handling. Avoid these. Nothing detracts so much from the 

 appearance of dressed poultry as careless workmanship in the 

 picking. It will also mean a reduction in the selling price. 

 Remove the pin feathers with a blunt knife. 



In dressing turkeys a small ruff of neck feathers and the wing 

 tips are undisturbed; this is a conventionality found in most 

 markets. To complete the dressing, cleanse the mouth and 

 head of any blood, and wash the feet thoroughly. Never remove 

 the head, feet or entrails. Some years ago it was the practice 

 to remove the viscera, but modern efficiency has found that 

 the undrawn carcass, from which all animal heat has been 

 expelled, is the most sanitary. 



Cooling. — When the fowl is plucked hang it in a cool place, 

 head down, until the heat is entirely gone from the body; it is 

 then ready for packing. Poultry should not be allowed to freeze 

 for it will spoil the appearance. 



Packing and Shipping. — Barrels are generally preferable to 

 boxes for shipping poultry, and they are easily obtained at a 

 small cost. Line the package with manila paper, — do not use 

 soiled or printed paper, — and pack as tightly as possible to avoid 

 shifting about in transit. In warm weather use ice, or if the con- 

 signment is billed for a long distance. Head the barrel securely, 

 and mark its contents plainly on the head to whom it is shipjied, 

 and the name of the shipper. Never ship mixed lots of poultry 

 in the same package if it can be avoided. Graded shipments 

 invite good treatment on the part of the merchants, facilitate 

 sales, and are rewarded by larger returns. In short, it pays 

 handsomely to take a few extra pains. 



Turkey Nests. — If left to follow her own inclinations the hen 

 turkey will select some secluded place for her nest, probably 

 under a pile of logs, in the brush or in the lee of a stone wall; 

 but, unless the flock is particularly wild, the hens can be induced 

 to adopt more suitable laying quarters, than which nothing is 



