224 PRINCIPLES OF POULTRY BREEDING 



4. "V\Tiat are the proper standards to use in selecting for egg 

 production, and for other commercial characteristics? 



5. What is the true significance and commercial value of the 

 inheritance of egg production? 



6. Can variation of egg production from normal line of individ- 

 uals be utilized to improve quality? If so, how can they best be 

 attained? 



7. Is the egg production of an individual a true measurement 

 of the permanence of her progeny in this respect? 



These are but a few of the present-day problems which are 

 being investigated, and their solution will mean much in formu- 

 lating methods and practice to be followed in the future by poultry 

 breeders. Poultry farmers must appreciate the true commercial 

 results which are attendant upon more careful breeding before 

 popular interest will be awakened. The following paragraphs 

 give in condensed form the present belief in regard to many of 

 these problems. 



Basis of Value in Poultry. — The basis of value in poultry keep- 

 ing is the power of the individual to produce a given product at 

 a profit. The relative value of the individual depends upon its 

 adaptation to one or more particular uses and the returns which 

 it yields above the feed consumed. For example, the best laying 

 hen is the one which converts the largest amount of feed into eggs 

 of the best quality with the least possible waste of the feed con- 

 sumed. While a large consumption of feed is necessary to heavy 

 production, it is not in itself a guarantee of heavy production. 

 The mongrel hen is often a heavy consumer of feed; but, owing 

 to the fact that her bodily functions are not developed sufficiently 

 to turn every atom of feed not required for maintenance into eggs, 

 she does not yield a profit. A certain amount of feed is required 

 to maintain the body, and observation proves that the individual 

 which consumes the most feed in proportion to its live weight will, 

 in the majority of cases, be the most profitable; hence the necessity 

 of studying individuals closely, and breeding from those which 

 possess the qualities to be desired in their young. 



The records of a few noted hens show what breeding and selec- 

 tion will do ; and also show that in order to increase the productive, 

 or basic, value of poultry, one must study the individuality of his 

 flock, and mate from the very best, with the idea of eliminating 

 the poorer birds and of intensifying in the progeny the desired 

 qualities which are pronounced in the selected parents. 



