Breeding Poultry from a Fancier's Standpoint. 333 



is a very uncertain method that carries with it almost equal dis- 

 trust as that which goes with yard-matings. Guesswork is just 

 as good as any, if right; but there cannot be any assurance of 

 correctness that is based upon guessing the hen that laid an egg- 

 in any nest, unless she is either caught in the act or a trap. 



Learn by experience gained from well-kept records which pair 

 of fowls have actually produced your best; cast aside all possible 

 chance for mistake, and when you have gained this valuable in- 

 formation, continue to make use of these known producers and 

 their offspring; continue to breed from known producers only; 

 do not waste your time, room and food on those that have demon- 

 strated their inability to produce better than themselves. More 

 time is lost, money expended, many good valuable specimens dis- 

 carded through guesswork and lack of knowledge of their real 

 value than would build up and carry forward a paying plant for 

 the production of high-class show specimens. 



Selecting from Thousands. 



The desire for profit leads us to produce thousands for sale; it 

 also tempts us to buy for exhibition, so we may win the honors 

 that guide the purchaser to our yards. Of what real value is a 

 flock of several thousand that will not turn out the winners to 

 gain enough credit to sell their yard companions? The man who 

 can produce a single winner in strong competition from 12 or 20 

 raised has shown by far more skill than is displayed by those who 

 select a dozen winners from many hundred. We set the pace 

 when we run wild to secure stock and eggs from a noted prize- 

 winner. Our very determination to have some eggs from the 

 pen he heads compels his owner to increase the number of hens 

 in his " harem " to 10 or 12, giving us one chance in a thousand 

 for every egg we buy. 



Perhaps one or tw T o very good hens may be placed with the 

 most noted prize-winner to sell eggs from, but no breeder can 

 afford to lose the use of his own best females for a whole season 

 to supply eggs at 50 cents each, that may produce $50 or $100 

 birds. For these reasons, it is an absolute necessity for all to 

 study the producing qualities of their own and learn to pair them 

 so as to produce the best, rather than to rely upon the selection 

 from among thousands in our own or other yards. 



