The Holt County sentinel., 1920-02-06
FARM BUREAU NOTES.
". G. Swarner, County Agent

SUIT NdS StbtOUOsbbU ldSl NtuT. lHif
amounted to more than the income
from the entire wheat crop Of the
state. Mr.. Townslcy said that he
would estimate the income from poul.
try products in Holt county alone at
about Sl.000,000. He said that Holt
county was one Of the biggest poultry
counties Of the state.
Mr.. Townsley pointed out that the
income from poultry was greater than
that from the wheat crop, despite the
fact that the average wheat grower
has adopted more modern methods in
raising wheat than the average flock
owner has. The farmer no longer
cradles his wheat, neither does he use
the flay or horsepower machine in
threshing the crop. But many poul-
try keepers have never adopted any
improved methods in caring for OF
feeding their flocks. They would be
astonished at the results obtained by
others who have provided better
houses. fed more balanced rations and
adopted principles Of breeding for egg
production.
How to Select A breeding Flock
At the poultry meeting held by the
Farm Bureau last week, Mr.. Towns
Icy strongly advocated breeding
flock for every person interested in
getting high producing hens. Al frs,
thought, many persons think that Ia
select a breeding flock H. too much
trouble and is impossible in many
cases. Il Is very easy to have breed.
ing flock. Some persons think n
breeding pen II necessary. but not 80.
nod. l. 80. sht.0tssi,
their flock just as though they we're
culling them and select the hens that
show signs of being high producing
hens. These mems should be separated
from tho rest Of the flock and mated
with the best male birds. One male
with 90 TO % hens Of the heavier
breeds and % 10 20 Of the lcghorn
breeds IL plenty to insure fertility
said Mr. Townsend.
, II a person has not two houses In
which the different flocks can roost, .
wire or slate partition in the one house
will answer the purpoSe. provided one
flock Is Kent up one day and the other
flock the next day. and 80 on. II was
recommended that no male birds he
kent with the flock from which eggs
were not to be used for Matching, A.
soon as the weather Is suitable for all
the flock to be turned on the range.
neither flock should be- kept shut up:
alternate the flock on the range ~
suggested above.
The first point 10 be- considered in
selecting hen for the breeding flock
IL quality. This Is indicated by "A well
curved, short bill, which should be
broad and thick at the base. A short,
thick head, rather smooth. red waffle
and comb. and u bright active look
out Of the eye all indicate quality.
This characteristic l. further indicated
by rather fine. sharp breast and pin
bones. In order 10 be good producer
hen must have good capacity for di-
gcstivc and reproductive organs. This
characteristic " determined by the
snacc between the keel bone and the
pin or pelvic bones. A hen that does
not have four fingers space between
these bones should not be- selected for
the breeding flock. To determine
whether the hen Is laying or has been
laying during the winter, measure the
space between the pin or pelvic bones.
II two or more fingers can he placed
between these bones the hen will do
for the breeding flock, provided she
scores good on the other points. A
hen that shows no signs of laying now
or the past few winter months should
not be admitted to the breeding flock
Such hens are slackers and chicks
hutchcd from their wings will be
slackcrs. Another important point IL
be considered In selecting hen foi
the breeding flock is the texture OF
the skin between the pin bones and
between them and the keel bone. II
the skin is soft and pliablc II indicates
the hen has good quality and Is u good
layer II the sikh is tough and the alb
domen hard, the hen is not high
producing one.
In selecting the male bird one should
pick out the one that Is most vigorous
aggressive, the best fighter and most
gallant 10 the female birds.
The Home Demonstration Agent
Miss Long, OF Oregon, and the County
Agent will gladly hold dcmonstra-
tion in selecting breeding flock for
any one in the county upon request.
Why not begin this season to inn
prove the laying strain of your flock
by the breeding flock method? No
farmer would think of selecting gifts
for breeding purposes from litters OF
only two or three. Why should the
poultry keeper hatch chicks for egg
production from eggs that were laid
by hens which lay perhaps not more
than 90 eggs per year. The hens that
lay from l20 to 200 eggs per year are
the ones that make profit for you
Hatch the eggs from these high pro-
ducing hens and the pullets from them