358 



POULTRY CULTURE 



about two weeks. This is as long as they will do well under 

 heavy feeding. 



In fattening broilers feed this ration morning and night only, 

 giving at noon a light feed of cracked corn and wheat. A 

 supply of fresh water should be accessible at all times. 



The best way to fatten poultry is to restrict exercise, by 

 placing the fowls in well-ventilated coops, 2 feet square, 

 having the bottom slatted or covered with } ^-inch wire cloth. 

 This will hold four to six fowls or eight to ten young birds. 



Fig. 119. — Front view of the compartment fattening crate, showing the feed 



trough. 



The fattening coop should be located in a cool, shady place 

 in hot weather and in a comfortable place in cold weather. 



The fowls should be thoroughly dusted with lice powder, as 

 fowls infected with lice do not fatten well. Fowls or chickens 

 of low vitality do not fatten readily. 



When stock fattened in this way is shipped to market the 

 packages should be marked "milk fed." This will secure the 

 best price. 



In giving animal feed to chicks it has been found that meat- 

 fed chicks make quicker and cheaper gains than others regard- 

 less of size, and that chicks started on a ration deficient in 

 animal feed never regain their lost ground. 



