Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 253, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 November 1917 — Time Needed to Fatten Poultry [ARTICLE]

Time Needed to Fatten Poultry

The question is often asked: How long does It take to fatten poultry properly? . The time required to fatten chickens and other poultry for prime market finish depends„largely upon what kinds of feeds are given and the range of the birds during the fattening period. If the birds are allowed to rim at large and range freely the fattening period is much longer, and in some cases with wide range the birds will never become In prime market condition, no matter how liberally fed. The reason for this Is that the birds in walking and roaming over wide areas take too much exercise, and feed that under other conditions &ould - go to form flesh and fat goes to furnish muscular energy, which is lost so far as fattening is concerned. In the case of turkeys, which are semiwild birds, a limited range for the birds is necessary, especially in early and late fall, when insects, wild seeds, green clover and grasses are still to be secured. Turkeys will grow and take on flesh as long as these wild feeds on the open range can be secured freely. However, as cold weather comes on it is best to supply turkeys with corn and other feeds they will eat close to the barn and poultry quarters, so that they will roam as little as possible as the marketing period, approaches. They will not bear confinement, and forced feeding like other kinds of poultry. In very close confinement they will worry off more flash and fat than they will put on, as a rule. . ' With chickens, ducks and geese it Is economical to confine them closely and feed heavily a few days before marketing. The confined birds should have all they will possibly eat of mixed

grajn,' or ground grains and water. The best method Is to feed a mixture of ground grains and skim milk. Birds fattened this way In close confinement are known as "milk-fed” poultry, and such when in prime condition command the lilghest market prices. The time required for fattening is from one week to ten days, after which time the birds will not gain In weight and should be sold immediately.