The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1912-02-02

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regular tuberculin testing. The
disease is slowly developing one;
hence to eradicate it requires several
years of systematic and co-opera-
tive work on the part of both stock
men and veterinarians. If every
community in every state did its
share of this work, eventually we
would be rid of this dreaded disease.
MATING THE BREEDING STOCK
During this month the poultry
man must begin actual preparations
for the selection of his breeding
stock, says a writer in the Michi-
gan Farmer. No more serious a
problem confronts the breeder or
the farmer than that of the proper
mating, for his success in securing
the best of young stock will depend
upon how he selected and mated
his fowls. 1t becomes a question
Of studying the fowls intended for
breeders, determining the good and
bad points in each, and then mat
ing them in such manner as to
overcome the faults and perpetuate
the desirable qualities SO far as
possible.
The selection of the breeders
should commence a month or six
weeks before Matching eggs are de-
sired. This will allow ample. time
in which to study the breeders from
time to time, noting how the male
behaves towards his mates, whether
too many or too few females are be-
ing mated to him, and to make
better selections should other MEN,
bers of the flock develop desirable
qualities.
The male is considered half the
breeding pen and is the sire of each
chick. His good and poor quail
tiles are likely to appear in every
chick Matched. Therefore, in order
to obtain best results he must be
first considered. He must be fully
matured and up to standard weight.
1t is advisable, whenever possible,
to use males not less than year
old. Weak, runty stock can often
be traced directly to the use of i'm
mature cockrels. Select male that
is healthy, vigorous, active, that
spoils for a fight and is good
grower, not one that will cover and
run as soon as another male ap-
proaches. He should stand we'll
on his feet. Do not use one with
legs so close together that they
almost touch.
The shape Of the head should
also be taken into consideration
A short, broad skull is desired.
Avoid the one that possesses long
and narrow head which, in my
opinion, denotes lack of masculine
power. The eyes should be large,
bright, the comb and wattles, blood
red.
Some cockerels often develop into
what are known as "effeminate
males.' That is, they resemble a
hen in some respects and do not
pay extra attention to the females.
Such are, of course, not fit for
breeding purposes and should be
culled out.
1t is the opinion of some poultry
m en- that the female influences the
size. and the male bird the shape,
color and head points. While this
is, perhaps, true, | wouldn't under
any condition. use a male that is
understood. | would prefer to have
both males and females of proper
size, and could then expect the
progeny to develop into full-sized
specimens. Some use extra large
hens, mating them with the expec-
tation that the size of the female
will overcome the lack of size in the
male. This il an unwise practice.
1t often happens that the pullets
derived from such ma tings will
equal the hen in size and the cock
erels will be understood. the same
as their sire. Therefore. in order