The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-07-04
FARM TOPICS.
Breeding Fowls.

Whether it be better to employ old
birds for the purpose of breeding is a
problem for those to answer who have
had occasion to experiment with due
observation. Undoubtedly with some
varieties the practice is to be preferred,
but not with all. Formerly (not only
with fowls, but also with turkeys) the
writer has been an advocate of using
old birds for breeding purposes, but
some late experiences have shown er-
rors in the practice of employing fowls
of too advanced an age for breeding
purposes. In the first place, all birds
that are selected for the purpose of per-
petuating their race, should be of ma
ture age, and as perfect in breed char
acteristics as is possible to be. No de-
formed, misshapen, or inferior-sized
birds should be allowed in the breeding
pen, no matter how faultless the plum
age or fancy points may be. From
fully grown, well matured birds, larg-
er number of chicks are produced than
from older birds. The few that are OBJ
tanned from old birds may be larger and
finer, but the greater amount from
young ones more than cOmpensates.
Sometimes the chicks of old hens are
understood, while others have the op-
posite advantage. Young birds chicks
are more uniform in size and plumage,
and are more active even in the shell,
and are ready to commence the life of a
chicken when twenty four hours old.
There is often experienced some diff
Guilty in Matching with the eggs of old
birds, even after the period of incuba,
ton is fully up, which is not noticed in
the eggs of young fowls. Pullets from
old birds are very uncertain egg-produc-
ers. They are often large, fine birds
when they live to grow up, but are sell
dom thrifty or long-lived, especially
among the class denominatnd as sever
lasting layers" With the small breeds
that mature early, young but fully ma
tured cock should always be used. A few
old hens may be allowed him if they be
active and sprightly, but the majority Gf
success is desired) of the eggs should be
dropped by pullets, or if the expression
may be allowed, sold pullets," say from
ten to twelve months. The cock Nigh,
be month younger, but should have
had a thrifty growth that has kept pace
with his age. Do not employ stunted
bird of either sex, as it will surely tell
on the chicks, and reduce the standing
of future flocks, no matter how pure the
blood may be, or how perfect the pro-
portions.
Understand, in the first place, what it
is you desire to obtain, and
make up the points between the sexes,
taking point from one side and filling
the deficiency from the opposite. For
instance, if large combs are. desired with
shapely proportions in the cocks, great
nicely should be exercised in the selec-
ton of the hens, as the hen, to great
extent, governs the comb and plumage
of the cock, while the breeding male
should be as near correct in this respect
as can be selected. Long, thin, pendul-
Gus wattles should accompany and
correspond with the comb, otherwise the
bird is deficient in this respect, if not
deformed. The ear-lobes and clear cut
of the face and mandibles should not
escape the observation of the studious.
The plumage is so conspicuous gem
orally as not to become overlooked I;
still it requires nice eye to select plum
age that always corresponds. Per-
lection is seldom obtained. The cock
exercises great II fiuence over the plum
age and carriage; so also does the
hen. In regard to this the influence is
about equally divided. Due care and
thought should be given to the general
appearance of the thighs, and the
shanks should not be forgotten.
Never select an diversified bird for
breeding, particularly cock. An over
sized fowl is apt to be deformed in some
respect. 1t is the hen that gives the size
to the chick. A cock should be neat,
natty and snugly built, with body car
ried well forward, while the hen should
be evenly balanced, with a body more