PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 225 



to healthy development of the chicks. Steady, even, 

 continuous growth is thus insured. 



Forcing of growth is undesirable. Ample time should 

 be allowed for the full development and gradual growth 

 to natural size of the blood-vessels, nerves, bones, sinews, 

 muscles, lungs, digestive system, generative organs and 

 of all other parts of the body. 



The surface appearance or outward beauty of the 

 bird is the chief thing when it comes to the show-room, 

 but healthfulness, thrifty growth, good digestive power, 

 vigor, stamina all help to develop the beautiful plumage 

 and attractive appendages of the prize-winner. 



'Sprightliness and symmetry assort well together. 



Culling may commence early, certainly "by the time 

 the chicks are two months old. At this time, or as soon 

 as possible, the chicks should be separated according to 

 sex and thereafter be kept in different colonies. 



It is not dimcult to pick out any chicks that have 

 crooked spine or breast bone, uneven hips, missing 

 rump, wry tail, crossed beak, blindness or other deform- 

 ity, and those that are stunted, or that show decidedly 

 defective feathering. 



When the combs and wattles are sufficiently devel- 

 oped these should be closely scrutinized and any chicks 

 showing incurable defects in these parts are removed 

 from the flock. Young fowls need not be discarded for 

 failure to show correct feathering while growing because 

 their first feathers will be shed and new plumage take 

 their place before show-time arrives. For instance, chicks 

 of some white varieties may show grayish or smutty 

 surface color when hatched and while growing, but put 

 on a piure white plumage as adult fowls. 



The culled chicks may be used for the table, mark- 

 eted as broilers, or otherwise disposed of, especially if 

 all the room available is needed for the chicks that 

 remain. The fancier who has only a limited area for 

 raising chickens, following this method, may hatch a 

 large number to choose from. By culling early and 



