SILVER WYANDOTTES MATING. 21 



and give up the special mating. With the Silver Wyandottes one 

 learns that the male should have density of color; or in other words, 

 be darker than the Standard demands, because the male has more 

 controlling power in color than the female; one with a light breast 

 should not be used, except there is no alternative in the matter, and 

 such a bird ought to be mated with hens quite dark and showing 

 small white centers. 



To establish a line of breeders one must begin with a dark male, 

 even if he has a dark breast to the extent of appearing black when 

 viewed in front, if other points are desirable; select a cock between 

 seven and a half and eight pounds, with good limbs, stout, short and 

 set well apart; nice head with a broad crown; comb, wattles, neck, 

 back, body, fluff, wings and tail of desirable quality and as near 

 standard requirements as can be had. Right here we will add, it is 

 color that is the real object of this mating, and if the black stripe 

 on the hackle is broad and dense, or if the black runs along the 

 sides of the white, do not discard him on that account; or if the 

 silvery white on head, back, saddle and wing bows, be plain silver, 

 though faulty, still it will serve its purpose here. 



The breast, body and thighs must be darker than the standard 

 requirements. The breast should be dark, if not quite black, at the 

 throat, the white points merely visible in the center as it merges to 

 the body, but when ruffled or parted will show narrow white centers, 

 growing larger as it approaches the body; the body and thighs quite 

 dark, and fluff dark slate. 



Such a male is darker than standard requirements, and this is 

 needed to give color to the offspring, not for one season, but for 

 establishing a permanent line of breeders. The hens mated with 

 this male should be medium light, lighter than standard hens, if 

 they show a good hackle, and white centers on wing bows, free from 

 black penciling. Hens that have been near standard color when 

 pullets, and become light after moulting, make suitable mates. Do 

 not discard them if they show open centers, even to spangling on 

 breast open white centers on saddle, and show light in fluff and 

 tail, and be what is called light specimens in color, if other points 

 are desirable. 



This mating transfers, compensates and modifies, because it is 

 extreme mating and seldom resorted to, except in new breeds that 

 have other elements in their composition, and not bred long enough 

 in a direct line, to have established permanency in colors. If stand- 

 ard females were mated to the male in question, the female offspring 



