Determining Breeding Stock 135 



ance undoubtedly is to select for strength and 

 vigor of constitution. It is well understood that 

 if the animal machine is not strong it will prob- 

 ably be unable to perform the greatest service. 

 It is well known that the best layers are strong, 

 large -bodied, vigorous fowls. They are known 

 to have strong constitutions. 



If breeders are to select for vigor, they can 

 do no better, perhaps, than to make the choice 

 at the moulting period. Strong, vigorous fowls 

 pass through the moulting period very much more 

 rapidly than do those having a weak constitution. 

 The robust hen that lays a large number of eggs 

 during the year will pass through the moulting 

 period quickly, and will hardly stop laying, while 

 the one having a weak constitution will be a long 

 time in producing a new coat of feathers, and will 

 not lay for many weeks. The experienced poul- 

 tryman, therefore, finds this period in the life of 

 the fowl a most excellent one in which to make 

 his selection. The fact that the bird with a 

 strong constitution is the most profitable for egg 

 production, may explain why the fowls of poul- 

 trymen who make a specialty of egg production 

 average larger than the fowls of those who breed 

 for exhibition. Almost without exception, the 

 average size of fowls of flocks specially noted for 

 egg laying is considerably larger than the average 

 size of fowls of the pure-bred stock of that breed. 



