Arizona republican., 1922-03-12
The Male

"The male is half the flock" Too
many breeders forget that even
though some are liberal enough TO
pay we'll for a male that has good
breeding behind him, and possesses
all the characteristics OF flrst-class
bird-except vigor. A bird must be
vigorous. "peppy," as some prefer to
express it, and free from disease OF
all kinds. A bird that has had Sc
we're case of roup and re covered IS
not a safe bird to use. Such bird
might produce strong, healthy chicks,
but the chances are against 1t. Nigor
and health in a male bird that IS OF
standard weight and full size accord
ing to the breed, should be demanded
as the first step in securing fertile
eggs.
The Female
Vigor and health in the female is
Just as essential as in the male, and
the same re quirements regarding size
and health apply equally as well TO
one as to the other. Birds that do
not appear in perfect health and
vieor should be removed until they
have recovered.
Vernain
! Birds that are having their vitality
| drained by lice, mites or ticks cannot
be expected to transmit to the egg
| the vitality which is required to pro-
duce a chick 1t is by no means q
difficult matter to rid the birds and
the premises of lice and other vermin,
and this is one of the strong factors
! that influences the production Of fer
tile eggs.
The Feed
Any feed that is well balanced is
not a forcing feed, and is free from
injurious mold or other similar quail
ties will help in making high per
centage Of fertility Green feed is
essential. and quite likely a lack OF
il is frequently responsible for poor
fertility. Animal protein is essen
tial for egg production. but probably
has a very marked influence on the
fe rtility Of eggs.
Selection and Care in handling.
For each breed there is an idea
| shape and an ideal color as well
AS like produces and as an egg is
a characteristic of the type for which
one is breeding il is essential that eggs
should be selected for Matching that
are typical of the ideal of the breed
Eggs that are misshapen, that have
minute cracks, or are very porous as
seen when held to the light or that
are over or under size, should be dis
carded. An egg should not be toe
long or too short, and such eggs are
better not used for Matching.
Eggs should be gathered carefully
not allowed to remain under hens
that are staying on the nest too Ions
or in a nest where hens are apt Il
keep the eggs warm all day. In other
words, eggs should be gathered twice
a day. Very dirty eggs should nol
be used for Matching, and this mal
be taken as a hint to keep the nests
clean. Care should be taken not K
Jar eggs unnecessarily. They should
be kept in a cool place, though no
in a refrigerator. Turning occas
sionally is advisable. When shipping
il is better TO wrap each egg sepa
rately in paper, and then pack in
regular egg shipping crate such a
may be purchased OF any suppl,
store.
1t is a somewhat disputed poin
whether or not the germ in the egl
is Jared in being carried, as whel
eggs are shipped. At any rate 1t /
best to give the egg the benefit o
the doubt, and let the eggs rest IL {
"a hours before setting.
The life germ in an egg is at bes
a delicate organism, and to preserv
it and carry it through the period o
incubation so that a live vigorou
healthy chick results is the purpos
OF producing fertile eggs. Nature 1
perverse and in spite OF all that cal
be done, sometimes there are failures
and not all eggs will prove fertil
under the best of conditions. henc
ii is wise to do ones utmost, to max
the conditions ideal