GOOD TABLE FOWLS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 28, 3 February 1899, Page 8

GOOD TABLE FOWLS.

There has been very little if any systematic attention paid in this colony to the production of superior table fowls. To give satisfaction the bones must be small and the meat thick, and the meat must also be properly disposed upon the fowl. The majority of poultry eaters like the white meat better than the dark and the fowl that best suits the majority of purchasers has a large amount of breast meat. The best market fowls carry this white meat not only on the breast proper as at B in the cut, but also well back between the legs at A. Much of the market poultry fails to be

A WELL-DEVELOPED CARCASE,

iick-meated at this point A, and this is a vital defect. The pure-bred Wyandottes, Plymouth Eocks, Dorkings and Indian Games, and their crosses, are specially noted for carrying a generous quantity of white meat now only upon their breast, but well back between the legs. The Houdan, also,: is a good breed to cross with, to obtain good table birds. Where fowls are killed and dressed for market by the breeder, it is a great point to have [them attractively got up. While still

•warm it.is comparatively easy to press and tie a fowl, into the shape shown ■ in the cut, so as to present a plump and neat appearance to customers. Then, too, it is in the most convenient shape for going into the pot for boiling, or.into the pan for roasting. This can be seen at a glance. Pick the birds carefully, wipe off any discoloration with a moist cloth, singe careand remove any remaining pinfeathers, and the bird is ready for cooking. Customers appreciate get- . poultry in just this shape. The *eet can be left on, but when customers have confidence in the one furnishing them with poultry, this is not . •fce.cessary. '

... : A Cl ean Poultry House—Platforms wilder ihe roosts are one of the most .Talaable fixtures of the poultry house; .fry ea#h can be kept on the platforms, and the droppings cleaned off 1 every morning or two. It does away V?th lots of heavy work, and the floors /^l not have to be cleaned very often. ■.•;VThe. platforms should be two feet ; *lde, and just high enough from the \floor for a fowl to walk under. They shbuld be level, and under them place ; .s«sts so constructed as to be dark. This is an advantage, as the .hens canJot- see well, and are not likely to weak or eat eggs. The roost is placed ■twelve inches above the platform.