41 



AVe are aslced almost daily if as good average results could not be obtained by 

 close observation; or, in other words, are there not certain outward appearances by 

 which one could select the males and females. We cannot give a positive answer, 

 but the following characters have so far been present in nearly all good producers: 



1. Strong, vigorous, and early maturing birds of fair size, not exceptionally 

 small nor yet very large. 



2. Those that are usually very active, early off the roost, and late to go to 

 roost. 



3. Most of tlie males are quarrelsome. 



4. Nearly all heavy laying hens are late in moulting. 



The following table gives a comparison of two flocks of twenty-ithree Barred 

 Rock pullets, that were in every way treated alike, except as to the_ method of 

 breeding. They are the same age, were hatched and reared by the natural method, 

 and have always lived in the same houses and enjoyed the same range. 



The one flock, known as the heavier layers, has been bred for some years for 

 early maturity and winter laying. 



The other pullets are bred from birds that have been bred mainly with the 

 idea of producing good specimens of the breed, as to shape, color and size. 



The bred-to-lay pullets were larger by October 1st, but the others were larger 

 at February 1st. In other words, the former matured earlier. Their brother's 

 average weight at five months of age was nearly six and one half pounds. 



Egg Recobds of 23 Bred-to-Lay vs. 23 Exhibitiox Babbed Rock Pullets. 



Feed Consumed by 23 Bred-to-Lay and 23 Exhibition Barred Rock Pullets. 



The bred-to-lay pullets laid 1,032 more eggs than the exhibition pullets, but 

 it will be noticed that the exhibition females ate more feed. This is probably due 

 to the fact that they were larger birds. The bred-to-lay hens weigh from five to 

 six pounds each, whereas the exhibition hens weigh from six to eight pounds each. 



The bred-to-lay family mature earlier and the males reach a six pound weight 

 in less time than the exhibition line, but when nine months old the exhibition males 

 each weigh about one pound more. 



