262 



PRACTICE OF POULTRY BREEDING 



while the females show wider bars and are darker throughout. The 

 best marked birds of this breed are bred by double matings. By con- 

 tinuing this process throughout many generations, it is possible to de- 

 velop some excellent specimens according to standard requirements; 

 yet breeders have thus practically split some breeds into two well- 

 defined and separate varieties according to sex color pattern (Fig. 132). 

 This method is also practised extensively in securing Leghorns 

 of the desired comb type, the male requirement being a straight, 



FIG. 133. A prize-winning pair of Columbian Wyandottes, with coloration similar to 

 the light Brahmas. (Photo by Sunnybrook Farm, Eatontown, N. J.) 



upright comb, and the female a lopped comb, these differences 

 being exaggerated by the use of double matings. 



Breeding successfully through double matings necessitates a 

 thorough understanding of the breed and the laws of heredity. 

 It is an artificial procedure, while single mating is natural. 



Breeding for Color. There are a great many rules and direc- 

 tions for the breeding of partly colored birds, especially those 

 with fancy plumage pattern; as, for example, the penciled and 

 stippled breeds (Fig. 133). But, since a full understanding of 

 these is needed only by the true fancier, and can be acquired only 

 by years of actual practice, they will not be discussed here. A few 

 references will be made, however, to common well-known facts. 



