Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-10
Need for Vigor.

While type is given as the first con-
Sideration, a male may conform to all
these standard requirements. and still
be unfit to put in the breeding pen. be-
cause of constitutional weakness from
disease or other causes. An iron-clad
rule, which all good breeders practice.
is never to breed from a male or female
that has suffered from a serious dis
ease. Even after recovery such birds
do not make good breeders and in event
of certain hereditary diseases there is
always the danger of transmitting de-
fects to the offspring.
Every poultry keeper can select for
constitutional Yigor, since the physical
condition of a bird is easily determined
by its actinS and characteristics. The
weak individual is inactive and slug
gsh. 1t is more likely to squat than to
stand 1t is never a good forager. AS a
general rule it is the last off the roost
in the morning and the first to go to
roost at night In the case of a male,
crow-head, dull eyes, pale comb and
wattles. and is underdeveloped. Per-
haps he has sprawly legs. which are
cold to the touch. and n long, slender
ment and long. thin toes. The reverse
is true of the strong male.
If possible the ability of the male TO
transmit high production to his daugh-
terS should be known. This, of course,
is only possible where pedigree breed
ing is followed. Breeding experiments
have long since established the fact
that high production is transmitted
cundity may be inherited by daughters
from their sire. independent of the dam.
\ male with the ability to produce
daughters of high fecundity will beget
the same proportion of heavy layers.
regardless of whether he be mated
with dams of high or low fecundity
As high egg production is the su-
preme object of breeding. the beginner
ability of his birds to beget high-pro-
ducing pullets should purchase his male
from some reliable breeder who has
kept careful records and who knows
the blood lines back of his stock. While
such birds are more expensive than
ordinary breeding stock. they will more
than pay for themselves in the in
creased production of their daughters.
Number of Males Needed.
The number of hens that should be al
lowed to each male depends to a great
extent on the breed. In the light. ac-
tive. nervous breeds, such as the Leg
horns. from fifteen to twenty-five hens
may be allowed to each male: in the
medium weight breeds, such as the
Plymouth Rocks. from ten to fifteen is
about the proper proportion; while
with the heavy Asiatic breeds, from
| eight to ten is a liberal allotment
If the breeding male is to give salts
factory service during the mating sea-
son he must receive careful attention.
Not infrequently it happens that he is
underfed. as many males are so at
| tentive to the welfare of the hens that
| they will not eat enough food to main
tain themselves in a vigorous condition.
| This can be remedied by feeding the
male separately.
| 1t seems needless to warn against
| lice. yet very few breeders give the
males regular treatment to eliminate
these pests. A thorough busting with
lice powder every two weeks will be
ample.
| AS a general rule. young. well-de-
veloped cockerels make the best breed
ers. However. valuable male birds are
frequently used for several years. In
case, pullets are used for the breeding
pen. they should be mated with cock
birds instead of cockerels.
Exercise is of vital Importance to both
males and females in the breeding pen.
plenty of yard room should be provid-
ed and the grains should be fed in
deep litter.