The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-02-01

prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agricultural
One of the prime essentials In pOul-
try breeding is to use only strong, Wig
orous, healthy stock. 1t is only by
continuing to do this that flock can
be built up which will have strength
and vigor and which will produce
strong, fertile eggs, strong chicks cap
able Of making quick growth, and pull
lets with sufficient stamina to stand
the strain of heavy egg production.
The appearance of q bird Is not al
ways a sure indication of its vigOr,
but appearance and action taken to-
gether are fairly reliable basis for
picking out vigorous birds. The comb,
face, and wattles should have good,
bright color; the eyes should be bright
and fairly prominent; and the head
should be comparatively broad and
short, not long and snaky or crow
headed. The bird should be alert and
have a vigorous carriage. The legs
support the body, with no tendency to
weakness or a knock-kneed condition.
The bone as seen in the shanks should
be strong, and not too fine for the
breed. The plumage should be clean
and smooth Lack of condition often
accompanies soiled, roughened plum
age. Fowls that have been sick but
apparently have recovered should not
be used for breeding if it can be
avoided.
Purpose Of Breeding
In selecting stock for the matings,
the purpose of the breeding should be
kept clearly In mind. If the desire Is
to produce exhibition stock birds
should be selected that are nearest
the standard in type and markings or
that will combine their qualities to
produce offspring most nearly ap-
preaching the standard. If the desire
is to produce table fowls, birds that
have a body shape suitable for carry
ing an abundance of meat should be
selected as breeders. They should be
broad and deep of body, have good
length both of back snd keel and
with neat If the desire is to pro-.
duce stock for eggs, birds should be
chosen ms far as possible that are good
egg producers or are the sons or
daughters of good egg producers.
Time to Mate.
Matings should be made at least two
weeks before beginning to save eggs
for Matching. If less time is allowed,
the maximum fertility is not likely to
be assured. 1t is often desirable to
mate even farther ahead than two
weeks so that a few eggs can be in
cubated for FIVE or six days to see
whether they are fertile. If these eggs
are not fertile, there Is still time to
change the male bird and thus insure
fertile eggs for the earlier matches.
Matings should be made not later than
February l.
Size of Matings.
The breed influences the size of the
matings. Under yarded conditions 1t
is usual and desirable to run from u
to Is females of the lighter type, such
MS the Leghorns, from 10 to II females
of the general purpose type, such as
the Plymouth Rocks, and FROM eight
to ten females of the heaviest type,
such as the Brahmas, with one male.
Where the breeding fowls have free
range and the male Is strong and Wig
orous, ii Is possible to obtain fertile
eggs from q considerably larger flock
of females. A vigorous Plymouth
Rock cockerel on free range should
give good fertility when mated to q
to % females, while a Leghorn male
under the same conditions can be mat
ed successfully to 80 to 40 females
If eggs for Matching are desired from
flock too large for a single male Il
/ fertilize. two or more males can be
run with it either at the same time OF
by alternating the males on success
sive days.
Age of Breeding Stock.
pullets or hens, cockerels or cock:
can be used in the breeding stock
Hens, however, are to be preferred Il
pullets because they lay larger eggs
and seem to give better fertility ant
stronger chicks. Yearling and two
year-old hens are to be preferred I,
older hens. Any birds. either male OF
female, that have proved to be espe
cially valuable breeders should be re
tanned as long as they will breed.
Free Range for Breeding Stock.
If possible, the breeding stool
should have free range. 1t is better
If this be provided during the entire