1.5G 



SCIEXTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 



January. 1922. 



A132 averaged to lay 185 eggs in their 

 first year and were quite broody. The 

 daughters of 8 were all mated to the same 

 male Ln 1920. These daughters, 36 in inim- 

 ber, averaged G2.6 eggs in winter produc- 

 tion as to March 1st, and with the excep- 

 tion of one or two individuals laid eggs 

 that averaged 26 ounces per dozen. 



No definite results have been obtained 

 in the tests that have been made of White 

 Wyandotte males, all males so far tested 

 having given fair production in their 

 daughters. In U. B. C. White Wyandottes 

 it would appear from tests so far conduct- 

 ed that the females were fully as prepotent 

 if not more powerful than the males in 

 the transmission of fecundity. This is more 

 marked in the case of Wyandottes than 

 witli the Wliite Leghorns. 



.... Observations About Leghorns. 



The Wjiite Leghorn hen of B. C. is a 

 large vigorous bird, averaging well up to 

 four pounds in weight. Many of her eggs 

 will grade "Specials" (25 ounces per doz- 

 en). By virtue of her high fecundity, re- 

 productive abilities and economy, she pre- 

 ponderates in numbers on the eommercial 

 egg farms in this province. In 1919-20 the 

 University flock of pullets laid an average 

 of 161.2 .eggs. This record was obtained 

 in a year that was exceptionally severe for 

 B. C, and the number Avas also unfavor- 

 ably affected by the fact that the birds 

 were used for feeding practice for stu- 

 dents. By much more thoroug^i selection 

 of breeders, by the better selection of pul- 

 lets going into the laying houses and un- 

 der more favorable climatic conditions, the 

 average has been advanced to over 200 eggs 

 per bird. The production of these pullets 

 was remarkable for its uniformity, less 

 than ten per cent of the pullets laying 

 under 150 eggs^ the R. 0. P. minimum, in 

 365 days. This uniformity may be cred- 

 ■ ited to the use of a better grade of breed- 

 ers. 



Slight outcroppings of broodiness in 

 some families jhas occurred at times. By 

 the elimination of these particular birds 

 and families, It seems quite possil)le to con- 

 trol ])roodiness in Leghorns. Some slight 

 color variations have occurred at times in 

 the form of feathers marked with black or 

 salmon. By the ruthless culling of indi- 

 viduals showing anv slight variations from 



pure white, very little of this has occurred 

 in the last generation. Careful selection 

 must continue in this regard to keep the 

 color pure. 



Observations About Wyandottes. 

 T/.ie B. C. Wyandotte has been bred 

 largely for utility qualities. By continued 

 selection for productive characteristics a 

 bird of longer and stretchier proportions 

 than called for by the standard has been 

 evolved. By careful selection and breed- 

 ing based on multiplication of good fami- 

 lies from special matings, a one-hundred 

 pullet unit flock has been developed at the 

 University that last year averaged 191 

 eggs, and will this year average very close 

 to the 200 mark. Like the Leghorns, these 

 Wyandottes are also remarkable for their 

 uniformity of production. 



Some broodiness ^las been found, al- 

 though some families have very little 

 broodiness in them, while many members 

 are entirely free from this character. 

 The highest layers are not always non- 

 broody, laying at an intense rate often 

 between broody spells. Broodiness appears 

 to be a directly inherited characteristic, 

 and in Wyandottes seems capable of being 

 controlled. 



By breeding from males from good hens 

 that lay large eggs, the size of egg has been 

 considerably increased. This last year the 

 average weig^it of eggs in the spring season 

 ran very close to 26 ounces per dozen in 

 our Wyandotte pullets. This gain can be 

 attributed largely to the kind of males 

 used. At the same time, hens that lay 

 small eggfi are being gradually eliminated 

 as breeders. The quality of shell has been 

 at the same time improved by this metliod 

 of selection and breeding until the Wyan- 

 dotte egg in some families cannot be seri- 

 ously faulted. 



High fertility and liatchability present 

 the most difficult problems to overcome. 

 Some W.vandotte ,iiens like old 15 have 

 proved excellent reproducers, however, 

 liaving given 20 daughters that in their 

 first year averaged over 200 eggs. Tliis 

 dam gfive 75 i)er cent hatcliability. Tlie 

 daught(M-s of No. 8 are proving to l)e good 

 reprotlucers as well. We have confidence 

 that in time a strain of Wyandottes can 

 l)e developed that will measure up high in 

 fertility and hatchability of eggs and in 

 lival>ilitv of chicks. 



