290 MANAGEMENT OF BREEDING STOCK 



require attention differing somewhat from that given to stock 

 raised for production only. 



Hatch chicks early, to give them time for full development. 

 If this is neglected, and they are forced to premature maturity, 

 the resulting progeny will be of small size, and this will be per- 

 sistent throughout. 



Brood in small units, so that the individual may have a chance 

 to develop to the utmost. Where breeding in extremely large 

 flocks is practised, the fowls do not have an equal chance to de- 

 velop, some of the smaller ones becoming stunted by insuffi- 

 cient feed or crowding, when they otherwise would have developed 

 into good birds. From the standpoint of economy and efficiency, 

 in the commercial flock the large unit is practicable; but with a 

 few birds of exceptionally high quality and value, the smaller 

 unit has the advantage. 



Give the growing youngsters free range where there is an abun- 

 dance of natural green feed, and well ventilated coops or shelters. 



Separate the sexes as soon as practicable, and raise each inde- 

 pendently until maturity. 



Mark indelibly any chick which shows signs of weakness or 

 disease at any stage of its growth. Any that are malformed or 

 show decided lack of vitality should be slaughtered. Those of a 

 type unsuitable for breeding purposes should be placed in the 

 laying pens. 



Give the fowls an unrestricted opportunity to develop to the 

 highest possible degree, since when fully developed and matured 

 the breeder has a flock of prepotent birds capable of turning out 

 the best progeny. 



Summary. Poultry breeding is a natural process, and arti- 

 ficial conditions must be adapted to its requirements. Standard- 

 bred birds are of a nervous temperament and possess great 

 powers of production and reproduction, but this indicates that 

 they need extra care and attention. Under normal conditions 

 these birds lay but few eggs during the spring season, when it is 

 easiest to hatch and rear the young, their sole instinct being to 

 reproduce their kind. With birds under domestication the idea 

 is not only to reproduce them in kind, but to obtain a commercial 

 product, and, in order to develop this industry to its highest de- 

 gree, man has transformed the fowl into a " machine." Here the 

 conditions differ from the natural instincts and habits of fowls, 

 and, in order to run such a machine to its highest efficiency 



