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PRINCIPLES OF POULTRY BREEDING 



to the fancier, who keeps a smaller number of birds and aims to 

 secure color pattern rather than utility qualities. This tendency- 

 is changing in recent years, and the value of well-bred birds for 

 egg production and market poultry is becoming better appreciated. 



The chief reason for the lack of interest in the improvement 

 of poultry has been the fact that most farmers regard the raising 

 of poultry as a side issue, and hence give it little consideration. 

 Another cause is the erroneous view which many farmers take in 

 regarding the value of the products, and the possibilities offered 

 through study and improvement, as matters entirely too small to 

 deserve attention. 



Many of our most successful keepers still believe that improve- 

 ment can best be brought about through feeding, and that selec- 

 tion, when practised, is not rigid enough or along the lines which 

 would insure direct improvement. 



The birds of any poultry flock, wherever kept for profit, 

 should be considered and treated as machines, — living machines, 

 which, when given raw material in the form of feed, will transform 

 it into finished agricultural products, such as eggs and meat. 

 These manufactured products represent great value in small 

 bulk, and can be shipped great distances at little cost. In the 

 production of market eggs this concentration of the finished product 

 is very noticeable. One dozen eggs weighing about twenty-four 

 ounces (1/^ lbs.) contain more human food material than the 

 same weight of milk. 



If the domestic hen is to be considered as a machine, and if 

 the most profitable returns are to be realized from her, this machine 

 must be carefully selected, and trained to the highest degree of 

 efficiency. If a bird of a certain type will lay more eggs in a year, 

 of larger and more uniform size than another bird, and meet all 

 the requirements of the egg market, this type should be given the 

 preference by egg producers, Again, if one type or breed of birds 



