1 8 WYANDOTTES. 



power of stamping his good qualities on .his offspring, depends his 

 value. The prime breeding male will not only show a well balanced 

 organism, which will make him handsome, with a full development 

 of physical qualities, but he will also be combative, ambitious of 

 mastery, attentive to his harem, quick, amorous, and in good condi- 

 tion of health and plumage; the last is indicated by his bright and 

 fearless eye, rich red comb and wattles, sleek and glossy plumage, 

 and sprightly movements. 



A male with stilted legs will not make a good breeder, nor the 

 one with hock joints pressing inward or backward, nor the one with 

 joints lacking firmness, nor the one with legs close together, or 

 crooked, nor the one with slim thighs, as they denote an uneven 

 formation of structure an imperfect balancement of limbs. Avoid 

 a bird with narrow breast and back, for such a male lacks muscle, 

 and has not sufficient room for development and healthy action of 

 the vital organs; avoid the one with slow motion and of cowardly 

 nature; one with loose plumage, scant hackle, saddle and tail, and 

 the one that is too large, too fat and too clumsy, as it will fail in 

 sexual duties. 



This is no guess work, but is based on experience and study of 

 the laws of breeding. A clumsy or over-fat male is not to be 

 depended on. Obesity is ever antagonistic to fertility, as it really 

 impairs the functions which inclose and transmit the vital spark of 

 procreation. The greater number of the large-sized breeds, fattened 

 to reach standard wei ghts, are not in proper condition for breed- 

 ing while retaining superfluous fat. This is one of the chief causes 

 of complaint about non-hatching eggs. The male or female should 

 be in fairly good condition of flesh, without being fat. The best 

 breeders are those under standard weights; the male or female that 

 will reach within a pound or so of standard requirement, without 

 extra feeding, is far preferable for breeding to one forced to stand- 

 ard weight by special feeding. 



As a rule a good breeding male will be a frequent and vigorous 

 crower; will talk with his mates a good deal; will lead them into the 

 by-ways and "pastures new;" stopping at times to perform a 

 pirouette, with the wing lowered, and making a rasping noise against 

 his leg. He will stand at the head of his flock, always exercising 

 proper activity and vigilance. Such a male is competent to mate 

 with six or eight hens. Chickens from such a mating will be apt to 

 take after their sire; and fortunate for the breeder, if he has de- 

 scended from a long line of good layers. 



