The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-11-29
DEVELOP PROFITABLE
UTILITY BIRDS

are uniform in size and color, is a
standard advertisement The owner,
if he is in the market to sell breeding
stock, will find that such a flock ma
terially aids in making sales. If the
poultry raiser is interested only IN the
production 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 i'm
possible, but it is 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. In practically every case the
man who starts in the poultry business |
with mongrel-looking flock and who
does we'll with it begins Systematically
to improve it's appearance. Poultry
having distinctive appearance seems to
be essential to any marked increase
in poultry products.
Sufficient attention to secure a pleas
ing uniformity in flock is in the
highest degree practical. Experience
has shown over and over that where
this is lacking interest is apt to lag
il production is not maintained. Beau
ty and utility of individuals should be
combined. These two points should
be kept constantly in mind In the Sc
lection 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 re-
uuirement should also apply to young
birds, for immature fowls are not mt
for breeding and young birds at ma
turity that are much underweight are
undesirable. While it is impractical
to adhere to exact standard weights it
is advisable to avoid variations OF
more than or 6 per cent either above
or below the standard.
Selecting Type.
A second consideration in the de-
, velopment of the flock is the selection
of type. There is a difference OF
opinion among breeders as to the es--
sentials of type. Unlike standard
weights there is no exacting rule to
= guide the poultry raiser in selecting
+ type. Experience and a trained eye
e will make a good Judge. A safe rule
y to follow, particularly for beginners,
@ is to reject all specimens that are un-
speakably off type and to use only the
0 best birds in the breeding flock.
0 Closely related to the selection OF
4 type is the question of vigor and VI
:, +oi;+,, of tho hirdc Tho standard tyne
: OF preeu presents, WIN = 1eI v",''
. trv which are the result and express
1 s;on of vioor vitality and a perfect
y w balanced structure and are, there
Fore as much q mart of TYNE as length
J. braadtb and denth of BODY or any
other characteristic which is taken in.
70 consideration nv an experienced
Judge. Vigor and vitality are first
T. considerations in the utility flock
Strong. healthy birds are the bes
It LAYERS make the best gains anC
re should he the only kind allowed in the
d breeding flock,
t The ability of the birds to bear UNI
a. nleasant weather conditions and sud
n don changes of temperature, espe
% ciallv changes from warm or com
- Portable to raw. chilly weather, is on,
II of the best tests of vitality and Wig
=, or. Susceptibility to such change
u shows a lack of robustness of consti
e. tuition and a poor circulation of blood
o and the birds that are seriously affect
lie ed bv sudden changes of temperatur
IL should not be retained for breeders o
lr have a place in the flock which is ex
IL nected to produce winter eggs.
u,os
This g +ruo IL tho fault 10 with tn
birds themselves and not with tn
poultry keeper. Wrong management
NAV nut the best and most healthfu
NJ Aock out of condition. Bad ventilatio
of poultry houses, improper feedin
ut either Undertaking or overfeedin
ur and especially the too free use c
as highly concentrated feed to fore
w. growth or egg production-are CON
y mon causes which make natural
sound and healthy fowls unduly su!
ceptible to ordinary weather changes