Egg Production and Fertility of Eggs 137 



undoubtedly be best to choose some solid-colored 

 breed or variety whose tendency to depart from 

 the standard color is not strong. It should not 

 be inferred that all solid-colored fowls are easy 

 to breed true to color ; in fact, some of the so- 

 called solid colors, notably the buffs, are the 

 most difficult to breed to perfection. 



The question of securing fertile eggs for in- 

 cubation is one that always gives breeders more 

 or less concern. Some breeders are more suc- 

 cessful than others in securing fertile eggs, and 

 apparently all breeders are more successful dur- 

 ing some seasons than others. Some breeds of 

 fowls are noted for producing fertile eggs, while 

 others are generally recognized as inferior in this 

 respect. The freedom given the fowls of a flock, 

 the vigor of the individuals, and the number of 

 males, very largely determine the fertility. Pul- 

 lets' eggs are generally not selected for hatching. 

 It is thought that they are not so likely to be 

 fertile, and will not produce as strong and vigor- 

 ous chickens as hens' eggs. 



Those who have had experience in operating 

 incubators know that all fertile eggs will not 

 hatch. There seem to be all grades of fertility, 

 from the egg having a vigorous germ that will 

 produce a strong, healthy chicken, to that having 

 a weak germ and is practically an infertile egg. 

 As the two extremes are united by various 



