Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-08-12

Among the problems that confront
poultryrnen at this season is "segregat-
ing the cockerels and marketing the
surplus breeders" This operation OIL
ten taxes the skill and resourceful-
ness of the operator because 1t is up
on this work that the success or fall
ure of the future flock and the prohts
as a business venture are largely
dependent.
EGREGATING the cockerels
means more than merely sep
arating the young males from
the flock, for it Involves the selection
of those birds that are to be retained
at the head of the breeding flock the
following season.
1t must be remembered that the
real foundation of success in poultry
culture depends upon the strong con-
stitutional vigor and vitality of the
fowls, and that the breeding male is
one-half of the future flock. The first
duty that confronrs the operator
when segregating the cockerels is to
select the young birds that fulfill every
indication necessary TO become typical
breeders.
Value of the Trap Nest
It is in this work that the full i'm
portance of trap-nesting is appreciat-
III
regarding the parentage, of
the young bird. This knowledge also
conveys the data pertaining to the
health, vigor and vitality of the'flock's
ancestors, also the breeding charac-
teristics and egg-laying records OF
each specimen.
To those who are striving for show
birds the trap nest is a guide for tu-
.ure matings. especially regarding
shape and color. To those who want
large yields of perfect eggs. it gives
the opportunity of contining the selec-
tions to birds that have ancestors with
large egg records and other egg-pro-
ducing characteristics
Where this data is at hand the
young birds should be separated into
groups according to the performances
of their ancestors, in order to simplify
the final selections. d..
Only those cockerels that show de-
clded masculine appearance should be
considered. They should be of mod
crate sZe, possess Widespread feet,
strong legs of medium length, placed
wide apart. He should have a broad
fiat head and bright protruding eye,
that gives the appearance of alertness.
The back should be broad and long
and the body deep with a full broad,
rounded breast. Such cockerels are
easily distinguished in the flock. as
they have a natural masculine car
riage which forces them upon the no.
tice of the operator. Their activity is
noticeable and their belligerent atti-
tude is testimony regarding their in
dividual vigor and vitality. All others
that do not measure up to this stand
ard should be placed in small yards
and prepared for market.
Where there are a number of cock
erels that measure up TO the standard
of breeders, and they have several
generations of strong producing stock
behind them, it is often possible to
dispose of them as breeders, in which
case they will bring better prices than
if prepared for market 1t is essential
that the cockerels reserved for breed
ing purposes should have free range
and full diet of nutritious food.
They should be amply protected from
inclement weather and forced to make
bone and muscle.
Marketing Surplus CockereIs
There are numerous methods of
marketing the surplus cockerels but
much depends upon the equipment
and resources of the operator. The
ned up for a few days. giving them
plenty of soft mash food. and keep
ing fresh clean water before them
at all times, after which they may be
shipped to market alive. Thus the
expense of killing ana dressing is re-
moved.
Soft roasters are always in demand
at good market prices, but it requires
from ten to twelve weeks to get the
birds in the best possible market con-
dition so as to command highest
prices. Where this method is pur-
sued the birds should run on limit
ed range. They should receive lib
eral feeding until they develop large
bodies capable of supporting great
quantities of muscle and fat.
Where the necessary skill and