40 "A LITTLE JOURNEY 



Another important thing to be considered in the matter of breeding for 

 eggs is whether or not the laying-life of the fowl can be materially increased. 

 As conditions are today, the average unimproved flock does not pay for its 

 board and room after the second year. If proper breeding could lengthen 

 this period to four years, what a revolution in chickendom! We may be able 

 to prolong this productive period, and I am keeping this possibility in the 

 background of my mind as another thing worth thinking about! 



The shape of the fowl's body is another consideration. I believe that 

 the Ancona is quite ideally "built" for the purpose of heavy and consistent 

 egg production, and I always try to maintain in my flocks the type of body 

 that seems peculiarly associated with egg yield. The full, round breast, 

 the rather long back, round at the shoulder and broad across the loin, is a 

 formation that is conductive to egg laying. Then too, there is a well-formed 

 keel and an abdomen that gives plenty of room for a full equipment of egg- 

 forming organs. 



"Temperament" is another thing to keep in mind when breeding for eggs. 

 This, I feel, is a more important point than most breeders realize. As a 

 general thing, I have found that the good layer has an active, somewhat 

 "nervous" temperament. She moves around quickly, is usually "on the go", 

 and will be found out scratching for food when the poor layer is leaning up 

 against the chicken-wire or sitting down in the shade. And when it comes to 

 temperament, no breed has anything on the little black and white beauties 

 known as Anconas. They are the prima donnas of Chickendom! 



Another factor. Which "side of the house" transmits the egg laying 

 characteristic male or female? 



My experience seems to indicate, and I have followed this thing quite 

 closely, that the male is the more important. But I would certainly be the 

 last to say that this ability never descended from mother to daughter. I 

 know better than that! 



