The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-15


of the chicks. vigor, strength and pro-
ductiveness, and their conformation and
markings are largely determined by
their ancestry. It is. therefore, good
business policy to make sure that moth
ing but desirable birds are used in the
breeding pens.
Some of the characteristics of good
breeding stock are discussed by Pro-
fessor Stoneburn In his timely contri-
button below
BY. PROF. r. H. sTONEBURN
Copyright. 1914 by Geo. A. McDevitt Coz
A noted American philosopher was
once asked how early child's training
should begin. without a moments hes
itation he answered: zone hundred
years before he is born In this brief
sentence he summed UP his opinion of
the tremendous power of heredity
Right here Is a hint for the progress
I've poultryman- While it is necessary
70 give the chicks the best of care from
the day they hatch until they reach ma
turity. this Is only part OF the breed
er's duties. He should see to 1t that his
chicks have the right ancestry, that
they inherit those characteristics which
will later make them profitable. 9th
srwise, he will fall far short of secur-
ing the results which he desires and
which he might obtain II his stock was
properly bred.
Heredity Is a marvellous force, and Is
still imperfectly understood. However,
We know that to very considerable
degree like begets like" That tho Off
spring of healthy. vigorous parents will
in large measure inherit these desir-
able physical qualities. and that the
young of weaklings will usually be in
ferior physically. Also. that this influ-
ence Will continue for generations.
Hence, it is plain that heredity will
work Tor good or evil, and that the
breeder who wishes to make steady
progress must reckon with 1t, and use
IT to help rather than hinder his efforts.
The poultry breeder possesses many
advantages. He usually has compar-
atfvely large number of individuals
from which to select the parents of his
prospective chicks He may make arbi-
trary matings. He can in many re-
spectS Judge of the value of these mat
ings early enough in the season to
make any changes which seem neces-
sary. Thus he can make rapid head
way II he will only give the matter his
earnest attention.
Fanciers Select Carefully
Breeders of exhibition stock have
rule they spend a great deal of time and
thought in making up their breeding
pens. They have their attention TO-
cused upon the Individual, since their
birds are judged individually in the
showroom. But, unfortunately a large
| percentage of the breeders of utility poul-
try seem to figure more on quantity rather
than quality, and lose sight of the individ-
ual. So on many farms and poultry plants
we observe haphazard matings and nom
descrpt lot of youngsters each season.
Such methods can scarcely be termed con-
structive. They aim at nothing in par
| ticular and usually hit it.
%lf7 poultry breeders everywhere would
come to a complete realization of the
very plain facts tnat 1t doesn't pay to
feed and care for weak, nom productive
stock that it is better to keep 200 selected
birds which yield a profit rather than a
larger number which scarcely pay their
way, and that to great extent they can
determine the quality of their future
focks when making up the breeding pens,
we would see the poultry industry prac-
tically revolutionized within a very short
time. This could be accomplished without
making any increase in the number of
birds kept.
The first essential of the ideal breeding
fowl is health. vigor. vitality This is alb
solutely required 1t is the only secure
foundation upon which to build a healthy
productive flock Weak, debiiltated birds
are Of little use to themselves and their
young are seldom. II ever, of much ac-
count. In fact, one will get enough in
ferior chicks from good matings. Why
deliberately breed the poor kind?
It has been well said that in the matter
of health and vigor the selection of the
breeding stock should begin at the time
of Matching. Chicks which are weak at
the beginning of tLeir lives and those
which at any time during their growth
are seriously sick or fail to make steady
and rapid development should never be
permitted to have place In the breeding
pen.a The poultryman who has discarded
all such is in excellent position to pick
ont suitable breeders this spring. Others
must depend upon their judgment and se-
iect those which most nearly meet the
ideal type-the health type.
As rule the most vigorous birds pos
sess certain characteristics which are
easily distinguished. Such individuals are
active, generally "on the co. seldom idle
or sluggish. They have full bright eyes.
combs and wattles showing rich. healthy
color, well-shaped skulls and stout,
curved beaks strong necks of medium
length. well developed bodies with plenty
of space for digestive and egg-producing
organs; strong, straight shanks set well
apart The males especially show plenty
fare of their mates and protecting them
against all comers
Birds of other sex with crooked breast
bones, twisted backs crow heads, unduly
long legs and 'knock knees' should be
thrown out.
| The above applies to the selection of
| either fancy or utility stock, as vigorous
health is equally essential in all cases.
Lack of space prevents a discussion of
breeding for show purposes, so far as
color and other points of interest to the
fancier are concerned.
The breeding stock should be fully ma
tured. Late-hatched pullets and cockerels
are usually inferior breeders. Some poul-
trymen place early hatched pullets in the
breeding pens but rule, yearling and
| 2-year-old hens give better results With
these may be mated cockerels Matched
early in the preceding year. yearIing
cocks In some cases older males will
give good results. 1t all depends upon
their condition and how they have beer
handled. Old cocks. especially of the
heavier breeds, are very likely to become
clumsy and inactive. Pens headed by
such birds usually produce eggs with a
high percentage Of nfertilty. However,
some males retain their activity for some