360 THE RURAL EFFICIENCY GUIDE STOCK 



are or not, for he will carry with him the influence of his breeding. If the hens 

 are of a standard breed, the male should be of the same breed so as to keep the 

 stock in its purity. Much better results are obtained by selecting individuals 

 of some one of the standard varieties than by cross-breeding. Where turkeys 

 are cross-bred, it tends to bring the weak points of both sides of the cross to the 

 surface. Proper crosses sometimes improve the first issue but are seldom suc- 

 cessful when followed up. 



It should be remembered that the female influences the size of the off- 

 spring. Fair sized females of good health, constitutional vigor and mature age 

 with a medium-sized male will do far better than small females with an exceed- 

 ingly large male. Pairing small weakly females with large males is poor policy. 



In-breeding. Turkey hens will wander miles if necessary to pair with a 

 male and this is one of the chief sources of in-breeding. In localities where 

 few turkeys are raised, one male is often depended upon to serve for all the 

 females. This too often forces him to pair with his own descendants, and 

 causes a lack of vitality in the offspring. Turkeys suffer from in-breeding more 

 than any other of our domestic fowls. 



PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR SELECTING BREEDING STOCK. 



1. Turkeys Demand New Blood. Do not in-breed. It is better to send 

 away for a new male than to risk close breeding. Turkeys must have new blood 

 if they maintain their constitutional vigor. 



2. Secure Tom in Fall. The male should be secured in the fall that one 

 may be sure of his vigor and health in general before the breeding season. 



3. Kind of Tom to Use. Do not think that a large overgrown male is 

 as good for this purpose as a well-proportioned, medium sized one that is full 

 of health, strength and constitutional vigor; one that has a broad masculine 

 head, heavy ear carunculations and wattles, long stout shanks, large feet, and up- 

 right carriage, as these indicate health and vigor. 



4. Age of Hens. The turkey hens used as breeders should always be 

 over one year old. If she continues to lay she will be useful until about eight 

 years of age. 



5. Kinds of Hens to Breed. Use medium-sized hens. Avoid the smaller 

 ones and those unnaturally large. Use only those that are healthy, strong and 

 vigorous. Size, with large feet and legs, broad heads, and good length of body 

 and constitutional vigor are influenced largely by the female; color and finish 

 by the male. 



6. Indication of Value. Value is indicated most clearly by a full- 

 rounded breast and body. 



7. Length of Thigh and Shank vs. Size. Do not mistake length of thigh 

 and shank, if out of proportion, for size. 



8. Profitable Market Characteristics. The most profitable market char- 

 acteristics are constitutional vigor, compactness of form, and length of breast and 

 body. Select birds having these characteristics for breeding purposes. 



Number of Females to Male. In farm flocks that are running free on the 



