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CHAPTER XII. 



PRACTICAL BREEDING AND REARING OF PRIZE POULTRY. 



-^P^HE present number of breeders of prize 

 1 poultry vastly exceeds the figures of a 

 quarter-century ago, and every year shows 

 additions to that number ; but it is as true as 

 ever that the measure of success attained by 

 them differs widely. All cannot equally succeed, 

 in fact, and much harm has been done by the 

 advice of some authorities, who have constantly 

 taught in journals devoted to these subjects 

 that, with capital to purchase a few good birds, 

 properly mated, at adequate prices, a consider- 

 able profit can practically be "assured" from 

 breeding exhibition stock. 



There are many people who do really make 

 a living by breeding, selling, and exhibiting 

 prize poultry ; but this is generally the result of 

 years, and in many other instances 

 Prize Breeding the would-be breeder is fain to 

 not a retire with more or less loss. While 



Certainty. some take up the poultry fancy 



merely as a pleasant and fascinat- 

 ing relaxation, others make it the serious 

 business of their lives, and study it as such in 

 all its branches of breeding, exhibiting, adver- 

 tising, and selling — the last being perhaps as 

 important as anything, since such a man, if he 

 has a decent reputation, may get two to five 

 guineas for a bird quite readily, where a 

 beginner would find great difficulty in disposing 

 of the same fowl for ten shillings. This difficulty 

 in selling produce until a certain standing has 

 been gained and reputation created, is not taken 

 account of by advisers of the school above 

 alluded to. If it be remembered that the prizes 

 at a great show go chiefly to a few birds picked 

 from hundreds bred by old and experienced 

 breeders, and that the novice, with his produce from 

 the pen mated up for him at a fee by one of these 

 advisers, has to take some respectable position 

 amongst them before he can find a market, the 

 folly of such wholesale promises and anticipa- 

 tions will be realised. Nevertheless, the field is 

 perfectly open, and upon the whole — spite of 

 what is so often written by disappointed parties 

 — free from favour. Although genuine breeders 

 are so much more numerous than formerly, the 

 combination of qualities which make a success- 



ful one is still so rare, that anyone possessing 

 these (amongst them sufficient patience and 

 perseverance) can make his mark. We cannot 

 promise success in the indiscriminate manner 

 above censured, and it would be presumption to 

 attempt to instruct such as know already more 

 than we can tell them ; but assuming that these 

 chapters may be read by many persons with 

 some knowledge of fowls, who are thinking of 

 further attempting to breed prize stock, we will 

 endeavour to make clear the general course that 

 should be pursued, and what should be 

 avoided. 



If the preceding chapter has been under- 

 stood, it will already be seen how it is and why 

 it is that it seldom answers to claim the first- 

 prize cock, and hens or pullets occupying the 

 same position at some prominent show, and 

 mate them up together for a "start." If it can 

 be afforded, when the time comes by all means 

 let first-class specimens be purchased, though as 

 a rule they will need quite different mates from 

 their fellow-winners of the other sex. But for 

 a novice this time has not come, for the simple 

 reason that he does not know enough to begin 



breeding ; and his first object should 

 Study "^^ to get the points and true ideal 



of the of the breed really into his mind and 



Type. gye He has first to study the 



standard description, with the aid of 

 an ideal illustration. The description should 

 then be compared point by point with winners 

 in the pen, and shows should be visited with this 

 object in view. Information should be sought 

 in detail of any exhibitor or other amateur, and 

 will almost always be freely imparted respect- 

 ing any definite detail concerning which it is 

 asked. Pleasant acquaintances and occasionally 

 a friendship may be made in this way. Disap- 

 pointed exhibitors are especially free in pointing 

 out where their bird surpasses the actual winner, 

 and often with truth as regards that one definite 

 point ; but the inquirer will be provided with a 

 grain or two of salt, and especially remember 

 that most likely there are additional points which 

 bear the other way. Perhaps he may be able to 

 get the judge's or the winner's views also, and 



