The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-31
CARE NECESSARY IN
SELECTING BREEDERS
Work Of Planning Pens Cannot
Begin Too Early for Best
Results.
NO TIME SHOULD BE LOST
ny VI, X. BOYER.

poultiNman, and II is none too early To
begin preparations at the beginning Of
the year. The majority OF poultrymen
mate up their breeding pens in January,
so their fowls may become well sc-
quaInted with each other by tho time the
eggs are needed for Matching.
In making up the pens, great care
should be taken in selecting both the
male and the females. The selection must
be made according 70 object desira d-if
for fancy, tho Standard requirements
must be met as nearly as possible n for
meat. then plump. iull breasted and broad
backed specimens should be selected; and
II for eggs. the long bodied birds, with
pelvic bones wide apart should be chosen.
II In addition there liz trap nest record
OF the birds in their pullet year. so much
the better.
Poultrymen generally save tho pullets
from their March, April and May matches
for future layers marketing the rest as
table poultry. II pullcts are selected
from the matches u the above-named
months, II will be possible to have table
eggs for sale during the last three months
OF the year. a time when the old hens
are in their mott, and eggs in conse-
quence are very scarce.
W." - ~ Ntbu tlalle 10 purchase now
blood. A better choice might have been
had month or two ago. Delaying the
purchase of new birds until spring gener-
ally results in dissatisfaction, as tho
choicest went with he early orders
II is assumed that good sized pens
have been provided gor the breeders, 50
that tho floor may be heavily Uttered
with straw, hay or leaves. Exercise Is
the keynote Of success both in eggs and
fertility. There Will be a number Of days
yet when the weather will be such as 20
make 1t unsafe to allow the fowls out
doors. II the house is comfortable and
tho exercising kept up. they will not sur.
fer AT all by this confinement. In fact
II will do them good.
In mating up fiocks for breeding. the
size must De governed by the breed. In
other words in the Asiatic class (Brah-
mas and Cochins) I find six females and
male about right In the American
class, ten 10 fourteen females 10 a male
~ good. In the Mediterranean class Il
should be about 'wlve to twenty females
20 a male. In order 10 secure better fer
tility and stronger chicks more than ono
male (brothers II possible) should be S.
lected for the pen, 80 that they can be
alternated about once a week. This does
away with favoritsm, one OF the prime
reasons for !nfertlity
Broiler raising is n branch fitted for
spring, and the months OF January and
February are the best for Matching out
the chicks. During these months 100
good yearling hens should easily furnish
sufficient eggs TO III an incubator OF
from 100 to 200 egg capacity each week
II nachine is set each week a hatch
VIII come or weekly. and afte- the first
shipment is sent TO narkc, there will be-
regular shipments weekly throughout the
season.
To have a uniform lot OF chicks only a
single breed should he kept. The eggs
from mongrels will produce broilers tia;
Will not be uniform IN weight, SIZE or
condition
No time should be lost in placing orders
for incubntorS. broOd.rs and what SUD-
plies are needed, "a delay in ordering is
very ap; TO postpone shipment causing u
loss OF ume.
In mating for future breeders the stool,
should be either one or two year old hens
that have been tested in their pullet year
In this way, especially where egg farm
Ing Is the speciality. the Improvement Is
noted In the next generation, while in tn,
case OF using stock OF unknown quality
4 often requires number OF years OF
careful mating 20 reach The object de-
sired
No pullets should he used for breeding
until they are at lcds: nine months old
II Is not advisable TO hatch for stock
birds before March s. as pullets brought
out before that date are apt to go mo
moult in the fail. and not again start in
laying before the latter part OF December
or January.
A great point in growing OF hardy
stock Is to keep the parent birds In the
best OF condition. Everything must be
done 10 keep them In good health. FIX
posure TO cold rain or heavy wind storms
II often the cause OF bad colds, which
develop into more serious disease II
not nipped In the bud Compelling fowls
20 tramp about on snow Is equally as bad
Tho man who has plenty of room in his
house and has 10 so provided that the sun
Light and fresh air can freely enter, will
get far better returns from his hens kept
Indoors the most OF tho winter than he
who compels his stock to face all sorts OF
weather.
Stock kept healthy and active are sure
producers OF rugged offspring I mako Il
u rule AS near as possible, not to use in
my breeding pens fowl that has been
sick day IN its life. ON this score /
might say that poultry are naturally
hardy. II IL only the abuse OF man that
makes them delicate.
The legs Of each fowl should be care
fully examined 20 note their condition.
II there are scales or the least suspicion
or scales on tho legs Nhey should be care
fully washed with hot water and soap so
as TO clean out all the dirt. Then wipe
dry and anoint with carbolated vaseline
or a mixture OF equal parts OF lard and
kerosene. ono or two applications Ia gem
orally all THAI Is necessary. II the scales
are not attended 10 the trouble will
spread 70 all the stock In the pen. A
single case OF scaly legs will eventually
affect the entire flock
Now is tho proper time TO look tho
building over-eNamine the roofs. the
sides, In fact every section OF tho house
10 note II repairs are necessary. There
will be so many things 10 look after IN
a month or two that details are apt 10
be overlooked. Be busy-do all the work
that can he done now. and II will be bet
ter done than n delayed until II becomes