The farmer who does not think it worth while to construct fattening-crates for his own crop of chickens, may get very fair results by simply enclosing the chickens in some vacant shed.  To these may feed a ration of two-thirds corn meal and one-third shorts, or some of the more complicated rations used at the fattening plants may be fed.

In the East, poultry fattening on the general farm is not dissimilar from the practices in the Central West, but we find a larger use of cramming machines, caponizing, and the growing of chickens for meat as an industry independent of keeping hens for egg production.

The cramming machine is a device by means of which food in a semi-liquid state is pumped into the bird’s crop, through a tube inserted in the mouth.  This means of feeding is much more used in Europe than in this country.  It requires good stock and careful workmen.  The method will probably slowly gain ground in this country.  The feed used in cramming is similar to that used in ordinary crate feeding, except that it is mixed as a thin batter.

Caponizing.

Caponizing is the castration of male chickens.  Capons hold the same place in the poultry market as do steers in the beef market.

Caponizing is practiced to quite an extent in France, and to a less degree in England and the United States.

Much the larger part of the industry is confined to that portion of the United States east of Philadelphia, though increasing numbers of capons are being raised in the North Central States.  During the winter months capon is regularly quoted in the markets of the larger eastern cities.  Massachusetts and New Jersey are the great centers for the growing of capons, while Boston, New York, and Philadelphia are the great markets.  In many eastern markets the prices paid for dressed capons range from 20 to 30 cents a pound.  The highest prices usually prevail from January to May, and the larger the birds the more they bring a pound.

The purpose of caponizing is not, as is sometimes stated, to increase the size of the chicken, but to improve the quality of the meat.  The capon fattens more readily and economically than other birds.  As they do not interfere with or worry one another, large flocks may be kept together.

The breeds suitable for caponizing are the Asiatics and Americans.  Brahmas will produce, with proper care and sufficient time, the largest and finest capons.  On the ordinary farm, where capons would be allowed to run loose, Plymouth Rocks would prove more profitable.  Plymouth Rocks, Brahmas, Langshans, Wyandottes, Indian Games, may all be used for capons.  Leghorns are not to be considered for this purpose.

Capons should be operated upon when they are about ten weeks or three months old and weigh about two pounds.