The Hope pioneer., 1922-11-16
CuLl|NC OF FLOCK NECESSARY
FOR SUCCESS WITH P0uL TRY
OBJ o. A. Barton)

(By o. A. Barton)
Perhaps no other poultry movement
ever inaugurated has caused so much
discussion, favorable and unfavorable,
end so much real action as has the
culling movement which hMs swept
over the country during the last few
years.
To a certain extent culling can and
should be continuous process. Any
diseased, injured, crippled, or other
wise defective fowl should be elimin-
ated from the flock as soon as detected
likewise, any birds which are low in
vitality, regardless Of age. This rule
applies to growing chicks as well as
mature fowls.
The application of the real culling
test for production, however, is most
effective between August 1 and Octo-
ber 10. The outstanding good ones and
the exceptionally poor ones can be
detected at other times, but the great
mass Of medium ones cannot be accur-
ately culled at other times, especially
during the spring months.
Culling is primarily a breeding prob
lem resulting from desire for an
increased production, and greater pro-
fits. These aims result in greater
satisfaction and more pleasure. Gull
ing is double process, including the
elimination of the undesirable stock
and at the same time the selection of
the ones most desirable to retain for
future production and breeding pur-
poses. Remember that the best pro-
ducers; and so in culling retain the
birds showing development for heavy
production, without SO much attention
to their age. 1t ordinarily is not very
profitable, however, to keep hens for
more than two laying years, unless
they are retained especial as breeders
because of their breed, character, and
production performance.
In the culling process there are
several characteristics or. indicators
which aid us in detecting the pro-
ducers. Sometimes the indications
may conflict, in which case it is wise
to use good judgment in weighing the
evidence against the individual.
Factors Indicating Productive
| Tendencies.
Health.-Vitality is essential for
production. Eliminate diseased, weak,
inactive underdeveloped hens regard.
less of past production or apparent
breed quality. Producers will be ac.
tive, alert and busy.
| Molt.-(One of the most valuable
factors in detecting the low producer)
The poorest layers will usually be the
first ones to molt, frequently molting
in June or July and usually taking a
| months or more. The best layers will
usually molt later in the season, will
take less time for it, and will be laying
again before really cold weather sets
in.
The ideal time for the mott is be.
tween October 1 and November Is
December is too late for two good
reasons; the weather at that time is
too severe for the molting hen, and
the poultryman cannot afford to have
the hens idle at that time, for eggs are
usually at the highest price.
Discard the hen which molts in June
and July and save those molting after
September 1, If not otherwise undesir.
able. The late molter can usually be
detected by her soiled, ragged. and
broken plumage, while the early molter
will have clean new plumage or many
pin feathers.
Color Test-In those breeds required
to have yellow shanks, beak, and body
color, such as Leghorns, Wyandottes
Rocks and Reds, the color usually
fades out from those parts in proper.
tiOn to the time and extent of produc.
tion. The yellow pigment leaves the
vent after few eggs have been laid
next from the beak, and then from the
eye ring after three or four weeks OF
laying. After the bird has laid from
three to four months the yellow pig.
ment finally leaves the. shanks.
In theory, the hen showing rich cclOr
in shank and beak in August and Sep.
tember would be poor layer and
should be discarded. But we must be
especially careful in applying this color
test or serious errors will be made
| When fowls have free access to grass
range, especially alfalfa and sweet
clover, the color does not fade out so
fast, and some soils have tendency ia
bleach out the shank color. Individual
fowls may also have by nature n paler
shank color than others, or the reverse.
a hen may have been broody and may
even have hItched y brood OF clhckenA