LECTURE XCI. 



SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF BREEDING 



STOCK. 



Pure-bred or high-grade poultry are much more economical 

 to raise than the ordinary scrub that finds a place on so many 

 of our farms. In the matter of egg production they give much 

 better returns both in summer and winter, and in the pro- 

 duction of meat they put on flesh faster, cheaper and present a 

 more uniform product in size, shape and color and the flesh 

 possesses a more desirable flavor. 



The farmer should, then, select some good, pure breed that 

 will suit his conditions. 



For the production of summer eggs, the White or Brown 

 Leghorns, the Minorcas or Andalusians are all good, and will 

 fill the egg basket with medium-sized white eggs. But these 

 breeds give poor returns as meat producers and are of little 

 or no account as winter layers. Nor are they good sitters. 

 What the farmer wants is a general purpose breed that will 

 give a good account of itself as an egg producer and at the 

 same time produce good market fowls. The Barred Rock, 

 White Wyandotte and Orpington all stand in high favor as 

 general purpose breeds. The Rocks and Wyandottes have 

 yellow legs and yellow skins, which put them in general 

 favor on many of our American markets, while the Orpington 

 is a white-legged, white-skinned breed, which character makes 

 it a very suitable bird for the English market and some of our 

 home markets. The Dorking is the most typical meat pro- 

 ducing bird, but it is a forager and does not do so well in 

 confinement, nor is it as hardy as the other three breeds 

 mentioned. 



In choosing a breed to suit our conditions it is well to look 

 to the particular strain as well, for much time has been spent 

 in the development of particular strains as heavy egg pro- 

 ducers, as sitters or non-sitters, as winter or summer layers. 

 Having chosen our breed we should then aim by selection, 

 care and management of our breeding stock to improve our 



