Milford chronicle., 1915-09-10
CHOOSE YOUR BIRDS CARE.
FULLY FOR BREEDING PURPOSES
By J. H. McFAUL, Jr.
(AH Rights ReSeyved1

e layers. In fact, the latter are the most
desirable. as it is the fall layers that in
t crease your profits, by yielding eggs at
a time when they will command a good
price.
1t is necessary then, to use the trap
nest during the entire year. in order
that you might pick out suitable birds
for the breeding pens. There is another
system, however, by which the birds
may be chosen, and this can be readily
done by the careful and attentive
breeder. Layers can be told from their
looks, but one has to study their birds
carefully in order to be able to distin-
| gulsh them from the drOnes, without
the assistance of the trap-nest.
The method of selecting layers from
system, rather than the trap-nest, is far
more profitable to the breeder, because
OF the long waitwhich is necessary when
the latter is used. Then too, the breeder
who carries a large number of fowls |
cannot resort to the trap-nest, on ac- |
count of the extra work its use entails. |
1t is necessary to make at least hourly |
trips to the laying houses, in order to |
llberate the birds and register their ac-
tlvltles, and consequently it means much
work for the attendant.
The owner or breeder who selects
birds according to system, can readily
tell which will make the best LAYERS and
breeders. Likewise, the poor LAYERS and
star boarders" can as readily be weed
ed out and disposed of in market. Being
able to pick out the poor layers is of the
greatest Importance to the commercial
poultryman, whether his fiocks are large
or small, and his success depends large
ly upon the result of his system. The /
presence in the flock of drones, or non
layers IN large numbers, and the inability '
OF the breeder to pick them out, has
been the cause of driving many persons I
out OF the poultry raising business, chief
Iy because of the fact that the "star I
ooarders will consume more than the
profit from the profitable birds.
Shape is the most important factor in
The laying hen. An imperfectly built
hen will not lay, at least to any extent,
10 matter how good her breed. A hen, p
nay be perfectly built as far as shape is c
concerned, and yet lack vigor, and is n
,heretore Of no value to the breeders.
bird which lacks this important quality b
Will not lay enough eggs in the course Of y
year to pay for her board and keep, y
lnd the person who retains these kind y
u 1owls VIII be compelled to do so at a a
oss. v
The food consumed by birds that are Il
'oor layers always equals, if it does not
Xceed, that consumed by profitable S,
lens, and is always of more value than al
ne combined value of the eggs they Law. pl
Health is also another important quail m
cation of the good layers. Unhealthy tC
irds will not lay, and a bird which is hi
ontinually in i'll health is of no value to NJ
breeder. She will not yield enough pl
ggs to warrant keeping her, and then, SO
he will never be of any value as a tn
reeder. as
II such birds are present in Your flocks &c
ct rid of them at once. Why should ha
on continue to keep and feed such m
1eclmens. when they only serve to re- tn
lrd your progress as a breeder? fin
Inc success in picking out the layers bo
being able to distinguish them from We
le drones or nOn-layers, and the dis de
riding OF the latter, can safely be said as
be the reason why many breeders are KIN
ntinuing in the commercial poultry pa
lslness and meeting with prosperity. de-
you are unable to pick out the profit shi
lie birds, according to system, then by
means, resort to the trap-nest. and grC
t on little extra steam in caring for nee
d looking after them. But, by all we
cans, get rid of the drones, non-layers 20
Improbable fowls, and success will tie
yours after a while. soil
sho