Milford chronicle., 1917-01-12
Preparing For The Breeding Season.
By J. H. MeFAUL, Js.
LAH Rights ReServed1

At this season Of the year, when one i.
so intensely occupied with the season S
festivities, the chickens are often ne.
elected, or rather put aside, for the time
being. This should never be, as it is a
most important time OF the year for the
average breeder.
This time is important because It is the
duty of the breeder to select his birds and
complete his mating hens in order that
he might be ready for early Matching
The secret of the success OF most poul-
trymen, particularly in this part of the
country, is getting out the youngsters
early; thus assuring early maturity aud
fall and winter laying.
The man who neglects the opportunity
Of mating his birds in sufficient time to
Be able to get the chicks out early misses
ere of the most important essentials of a
sHecessfal industry, and when failure
comes should not lay the blame at the
door of the birds, but rather, bear the
brunt of the burden himself.
Remember that the future of the bust
Ness at least in so far as its productive
pewer is concerned, depends largely upon
the matings from which come the birds
that so to make up the flock.
There are many persons engaged i'll
the raising" Of poultry only, that is.
they make no attempt at the breeding
end of the game but rely entirely upon
Others These are content to purchase
their Matching eggs from others. and
while in some cases this method is really
necessary, yet one learns more and even
tually earns money If he will do his own
breeding For, while the buying of hatch
ing eggs is largely practiced. there is a
constant howl going up among purchas-
ers that they are being robbed, or at least
are always not always getting all that
they pay for
This is a great natural condition. Men
simply can't be made to understand that
every egg will not hatch nor every egg
produce a show bird Do YOUR own mat
ing year after year and you will not only
appreciate the fowls better but will with |
each succeeding year aim TO produce bet
ter stock.
There is no better time to begin the
breeding than now. This is the season +
vixen YOU should lay your plans for the
spring Matching. The selection of the
parent stock or breeding pens is the most
important function on the poultryman' 4
calendar. and as such, should be done
with the utmost care.
No bird should be allowed to occupy a
place in the breeding pen unless it IS
strong and has a vigorous constitution
This characteristic has more to do with
the ultimate success or failure of your
business than any other single factor and
indeed is the real foundation of the fu
lure hocks.
In laving the foundation for future t
wears it is Just as easy to lay a good one 1
as a defective one, and the building of
the flock will surely be faulty unless
stress is laid upon and pains be taken in O
the selection OF the birds that go to make :
np the breeding pens. Id
Go slow. Pave the road to success by a
the proper selection of breeding stock u
,rd thus assure the Matching OF good.
strong. vigorous chicks. Remember that
the most important point to consider in
he selection of breeders is vitality, but {
Dv classing this as the first essential, I do b
net mean that other points are to be lost !
jight of.
Shane is the second important feature, l
. mn mind. The females should be only c
hose that are most active in the flock, t
md generally speaking, should possess a
lead that is short but broad, bright eyes
hat show alertness, and wear well de- i,
,eloDed red comb set on a medium ength :,
,nd well curved neck. The body should h
,e long and broad, with back that is !,
conclave aud having lui'y de- /!
,eloped and well-carried tail. The legs
hould be medium length and well set
part, devoid Of stubs OF feathers, unless
anne are characteristic OF the breed al
The male bird or head of the pen II