The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-15
HEREDITY DOMINANT
FORCE WITH POULTRY
Principle Of dixie Begets Like"
Must Receive Attention
Of Breeder.
SHOULD SEGREGATE BIRDS
Keeping Track Of Best Matings
Absolutely Essential to
Success.
SHOULD SEGREGATE BIRDS
n, ,r,or. r. n. srONEBuRN.

ts,ion he answered "One hundred years
before he IL born" In this brief sentence
no summed up his opinion OF the tremen-
dous power of heredity.
Right here is a hint for the progressive
,oultryman. While II IL necessary to give
the chicks the best Of care from the
day they hatch until they reach maturity
,lds Is only part OF tho breeders duties.
He should see TO II that his chicks have
the right ancestry, that they inherit those
characteristics which will later make them
short OF securing the results which he
desires and which he might obtain IL
his stock was properly bred.
Heredity is marvellous force and 10
sill impcrfectly understood. However,
We know that TO very considerable
degree like begcts lke'-that the offsprng
~ healthy. vigorous parents will in
large measure inherit these desirable
physical qualities. and that the Young OF
vcaklings will usually be inferior physi-
csliy. Also that this influence will con-
,inue for generations. Hence IL 10 plain
that heredity will work for good or evil
and that the breeder who wishes 70 make
steady progress must reckon with II and
use il to help rather than hinder his
Efforts.
The poultry breeder possesses many ad-
vantages He usually has comparatively
large number of individuals from which
10 select the parents Of his prospective
chicks. lie may make arbitrary inatings
lie can in many respects judge OF the
value OF these matings early enough In
the SEASON to make any changes which
sc.m necessary. Thus he can make rapid
Roadway II he will only give the matter
lis earnest attention.
breeders of exhibition stock have long
recognized these facts and as a rule they
tpend a great deal OF time and thought
ia making up their breeding pens. They
Rave their attention focused upon the in
diyidual, since their birds are judged in
dividually In the showroom. But unfor-
,unately large percentage or the breeders
OF utility poultry seem to figure more on
quantity rather than quality and lose
sight OF the Individual. So on many farms
and poultry plants we observe haphazard
,natings and a nondescript lot OF young
sters each season. Such methods can
scarcely be termed constructive. The!
aim at nothing In particular ana usually
hit it
II poultry breeders everywhere would
come TO a complete realization or the
very plain facts that II doesn't pay TO
feed and care for weak. non-productive
N.
lscted birds which Yield proft rather
than larger number which scarcely
ray their way. and that to great
extent they can determine the quality
OF their future flocks when making up
.ae breeding pens. We would see the poul-
--y industry practically revolutioniaed
within very short time. This could be
acswplished without making any IN
crease in the number OF birds kept.
tai ~ ba
row! is health. vigor. vitality. This Is
absolutely required. II Is the only Sc
cure foundation upon which TO build
healthy, productive flock. Weak, debll'-
lated birds are of little use themselves
and their young are seldom, II ever. OF
much account In fact one will get
enough inferior chicks from good mat
.ags Why deliberately breed the poor
i.rd'
II has been well said that in the mat
Ter Of health and v!gor the selection OF
the breeding stock should begin at the
me OF Matching. Chicks which are weak
IT tie beginning OF their lives and those
which az any time during their growth
are seriously sick or fail 10 make steady
and rapid development should never be
permitted 10 have place In the breeding
pen The poultryman who has discarded
all such Is Ia excellent position to pick
must depend upon their judgment and
select those which most nearly meet the
ideal type--the health type.
As rule the most vigorous birds pos
eees certain aracteristics which are
easily distinguished. Such individuals
are active generally ION the 60" 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 bodAs
with plenty Of space for digestive and
egg producing organs; strong. straight
hinks set well apart. The males es-
pec'ally show plenty OF spirit, constantly
looking after the welfare OF their mates
ana protecting them against all corners.
BIRDS OF either sex with crooked breast
bones, twisted backs, crow heads. I'M
DULY long legs and knock knees should
be thrown out.
The above applies to the selection Of
.Nher fancy or utility stock. as vigorous
Meath is equally essential in all cases
LICK or space prevents a discussion OF
preceding for show PURPOSES so far a.
eo'or and other points OF interest to the
tancler are concerned.
The breeding stock should be fully ma
'ufed. Late Matched pullets and cocker
es are usually inferior breeders. Some
p0u'tEyihen place early Matched pullets
~ the breeding pens but as n rule
year.ing and two-year-old hens give bet
yer results, With these may be mated
'ocNe?'is hatched early the preceding
year or yearling cocks In some cases
ODE, males will give good results. II
a. depends upon their condition and how
'hey have been handled Old cocks
especially Of the heavier breeds. are very
nSeIy to become clumsy and inactive
Pens headed by such birds usually produce
eggs with high percentage OF infertility.
however some males retain their activ-
u; tor some years and such are usually
excellent breeders
Inc relative proportion of males and
,eIna.es cannot be definitely stated. II
oepends upon the breed and the condi-
uoIs under which the flock is kept.
me writer has had poor results from
very small matings kept In close COR
nnemert and excellent results from large
pens at liberty.
~ a rule nix to ten females to one male
o' ne ldrge bodied. heavy kinds and
o,H ma" 70 twelve to eighteen females
o' iAe lFhtweght, active breeds viii!
prove satisfactory The poultryman must
w" ms Judgment and be guided by the
Information lie secures when testing the
'sss while they are being incubated.
" Is never safe to blame the male birds
SOY" when fertility runs low. The trap
n'S' tells us many interesting facts when
II j. p'rslstently used and records are
UHn''d In many cases II will be found
INV eggs from different hens mated to tho