The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1918-12-05
UNIFORM FOWLS
ARE PROFITABLE
owner of Such a Flock Will Find
1t Aids Materially in Sell
ing Breeding Stock.
TO DEVELOP UTILITY BIRDS
First Step Is to Discard All Speci-
mems That Do Not Approach Stand
ard Weight of Their Breed
Selection of Type.

A good looking flock, one in which
the birds are all the same breed and
are uniform in size and color, is
standard advertisement. The owner,
II he is in the market to sell breeding
stock, will find that such flock ina
terially aids in making sales. If the
poultry raiser is interested in the pro-
duction of eggs and meat he will. as
general rule, have greater success with
such a flock. Good results with stock
that does not look good is not impos-
sible, but it is a matter of common
observation that poultry keepers who
are Indifferent about the looks Of their
stock rarely make notable successes.
Their success is irregular and spas
modic. III practically every case the
man who starts in the poultry bust
ness with a mongrel-looking flock and
who does well with it begins systenat-
ically to improve its appearance.
Poultry having distinctive appearance
seems to be essential to any marked
increase in poultry products.
Sufficient attention to secure pleas
ing uniformity in flock is in the high
est degree practical. Experience has
shown over and over that where this
is lacking interest is apt to lag if pro-
duction is not maintained. Beauty
and utility of individuals should be
combined. These two points should be
kept constantly in mind in the selec-
ton and breeding of every flock.
In the work of developing uniform
utility flock the first step is to discard
absolutely all specimens that do not
approach the standard weight of their
breed. The standard weights for adult
male and female birds in any breed
are the most desirable for breeding
specimens. The weight requirement
should also apply to young birds, for
immature fowls are not fit for breed
ing and young birds at maturity that
are much under weight are undesir-
able. While it is impractical to adj
here to exact standard weights it Is
advisable to avoid variations of more
than or per cent either above or
below the standard.
Selecting Type.
A second consideration in the devel-
opment of the flock Is the selection of
type. There is difference of opinion
among breeders as to the essentials of
type. Unlike standard weights there
is no exacting rule to guide the poul-
ary raiser in selecting type. Expert
ence and a trained eye will make
good judge. A safe rule to follow, par
t,cularly for beginners, is to reject all
specimens that are unQuestionably off,
type and to use only the best birds in
the breeding flock.
Closely related 60 the selection of
type is the question of vigor and vi
tality of the birds. The standard type
of a breed presents, with certain size
and form, carriage and symmetry
which are the result and expression of
vigor, vitality and perfectly balanced
structure and are, therefore, as much
a part of type as length, breadth and
depth of body or any other character
istic which is taken into consideration
by an experienced judge. Vigor and
vitality are first considerations in the
utility flock. Strong, healthy birds
are the best layers, make the best
gains and should be the only kind al
lowed in the breeding flock.
The ability of the birds to bear I'M
pleasant weather conditions and sud
den changes from warm or comfort
able to raw. chilly weather, is one jof