Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-02-19
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
SELECTION OF BREEDERS

show season, possibly have caught colds
and recovered a number of times, with
vitality lowered by the unnatural strain
of being cooped for four or five days in
not only one show. but several. Then
with hardly a rest, with little chance
FOR spring conditions such as free range
eggs of strong fertility are expected, but
seldom obtained. especially during the
early part of the Matching season.
Experienced breeders of some years
standing do not do this As rule they
make one show with their fowls and then
themselves and given the proper care to
produce fertile eggs. It is the beginner
and small breeder with fine fowls who
are apt to show their fowls too often
with bad effects for the Matching season.
The so-called utility breeder who cares
little or nothing for the standard bred
birds, often pays even less care to his
flock than the so-caled fancier, allowing
them to be with the rest of the flock, with
fowls of all ages, under adverse con-
dit!ons as to proper housing and feed
and then at the last moment when hatch
ing eggs are wished picks out those that
look best to him and separates then
from the rest of the flock. expecting at
once strong, fertile eggs.
PROPER HOUSING FOR BREEDERS.
1t should be remembered that for hest
results the breeding fowls should have
the prope~ housing which means good
ventilation without draughts. plenty of
uoor space, with good, clean litter, SO
they can at least twice n day scratch out
the grain thrown among it for exercise.
Exercise ,e important. and especially so
with the fowls in the breeding Den
When possible. thav should have plenty
of yard room so they can be in the open
air whenever the weather Ia at Free
range is best when Il can be obtained
Forcing foods, heavy feeding. such as
should be fed to the flock when pro-
duc.ng eggs for market. is not for tbe
birds of the breeding pen. The dry mash
can be sed, emitting tho oornmesl, and
can be made up az follows with good
results: zoo pounds OF bran 100 pounds
OF middlings, 100 pounds mealed alfap.
leo pounds OF ground oats, and y
pounds Of foreground. high-grade beef
scraps. never feeding over 10 per cent,
OF beef scraps to the breeding pens. This
can be fed morning ana night the grain
scattered in a deep litter composed of
100 wheat. 100 oats and 10 pounds OF
cracked corn. Too much corn. although
the king Of feeds (and it should be a part
OF every poultry feed, has been fed
to breeders in the past, with the result |
Of poor fertility. Green food in some !
form must never be overlooked. Sprouted |
oats perhaps heads tho list. and cabbage |
and beets. too. are good Clean. fresh |
water, grit, oyster shell and charcoal are |
essentials that so toward successful |
Matching eggs.
The breeders should be strong. vigor-
Gus birds and from parents that were
strong and have never been sick for even
, day, The male heading the pen should
be first OF all an ideal specimen of
strength and vigor. for no matter how
we'll feathered vigor must be the first
PRIZE WINNERS NOT ALWAYS BEST. i
Because the fowl has won first at a
eadlng poultry show exhibit, or perhaps
has made creditable egs record does
lot entiue 1t place In the breeding
ard If 1t has not the strength and vigor
hat go to make up successful breeder
[ Is here the average beginner and some
With more experience fail, in the selection
# their breeds and the care in handling
hem.
1t takes courage to discard a fine fowl
because 1t has been sick, but neverthe-
ess 1t pays, especially on the commercial
poultry plant where health is so essential