.^V^ THE JOURNAL 



OF THE 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Vol. XL No. 7 i 



OCTOBER, 1904. [NEW SERIES,] 



EXPERIMENTS IN FATTENING TURKEYS. 



To increase the weight of a well-bred turkey cockerel by 4 lb. 

 and upwards is not only possible, but even easy if the bird is 

 put under a special course of fattening for about three weeks 

 preparatory to killing. In this article I shall endeavour to show 

 how this can be done in the best and most economical way. 

 The value of the turkey per lb. is, it must be remembered, 

 considerably enhanced by special fattening. From my close 

 connection with the turkey trade conducted by the Irish 

 Co-operative Societies during the Christmas season of 1903, 

 and in previous years, and from reliable information obtained 

 from private firms, I am convinced that it scarcely pays to raise 

 and market small, lean turkeys, whereas the profits on well- 

 fattened birds of good weight should be very considerable. 

 This may be shown in a measure by the following table, 

 setting forth the average net prices obtained by co-operative 

 poultry societies and by private shippers for well-handled turkeys, 

 plucked after the London, Glasgow, Devonshire, or any other 

 style as required : — 



Turkeys weighing under 10 lb. .„ 8d. per lb. 



10 lb. to 12 lb od. „ 



12 „ 14 iod. „ 



H >, 17 lid. 



» 17 „ 20 is. 



over 20 lb is. id. to is. 2d. per lb; 



These were net prices obtained for good, fat turkeys, plucked 

 and dressed as required by the buyer, but not drawn. Expenses 

 such as freights, hire of hampers, &c, were paid by the purchasers. 

 There was no commission, market tax, or any other allowance 



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