RATIONS AND METHODS OF FEEDING 361 



the crop by running his finger and thumb down the side of the 

 gullet. 



In cramming by funnel the mash is mixed with milk making 

 it about the consistency of batter. By aid of a proper funnel 

 and rubber tube the crop is filled. 



A room temperature of about 60° is most conducive to the 

 fattening processes. 



Sour milk is better than sweet milk because of the acid 

 content, which is an aid to digestion. Therefore digestion 

 takes place quicker and there is also less danger of "crop 

 sickness" (indigestion). It also stimulates the appetite. 

 Milk contains large amounts of phosphates, and no zantho- 

 phyll, which have a tendency to whiten the flesh. This also 

 holds good with turkeys, ducks, and geese. 



Some fatteners use tallow or other fat. This is used where 

 the birds are cram fed by machine. A quarter ounce is 

 given to each bird per day or one tablespoonful to each ten 

 fowls. This is gradually increased to three or four times this 

 amount. Usually fowls fret when first placed in coops and 

 lose weight for the first two or three days. After this time 

 they begin to increase in weight. It is best not to feed for 

 the first day, giving only water, and then gradually bring them 

 to full feed. 



In preparing the birds for slaughter it is best to withhold 

 all feed for twenty-four hours before killing, as the food re- 

 maining in the digestive tract quickly undergoes decomposition. 

 The crop should be empty. 



Poultry may be fattened in small flocks in an old shed, box- 

 stall, or small yard with temporary coops where the exercise 

 is restricted. If both pullets and cockerels or hen and cocks 

 are to be fed, the males should be separated from the females. 

 Chickens make greatest gains while young. Cockerels 150 

 to 175 days old make small gains. 



Finished poultry shipped to market ahve should be delivered 

 to the station late in the evening, if train service permits, so 

 that they will travel in the cool and be delivered to market 

 the next morning. Just before shipping they should be given 

 a full feed of grain and all the water they will consume. In 

 this way the shrinkage will be less. 



