14 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



I. Keep Pure-bred Birds of a Well-established Breed. 



We hear a great deal these days about utility versus fancy, 

 which, analyzed, means the production of eggs and meat 

 versus shape and plumage pattern. This agitation about the 

 so-called utility possibilities has doubtless been brought about 

 by the results secured at the egg-laying contests throughout 

 the country, and also by some phenomenal records which have 

 been made by some cross-bred birds. As a general statement 

 it may be said that it is a mistake to attempt to produce eggs 

 or poultry continuously from cross-bred stock. Considered 

 over a period of years, birds which are continuously cross bred 

 produce no characteristics which are not supplied by pure- 

 bred individuals. Cross-bred birds show no reliability in breed- 

 ing where egg production is the primary object. A larger egg 

 production can be secured from typical egg breeds than can 

 be secured from crosses of the egg and dual type. Where 

 meat production is the object, larger returns both in quality 

 and quantity can be secured where the pure-bred meat breeds 

 are used. The use of standard bred birds, of a well-established 

 variety, results in a uniform flock, both as to general appear- 

 ance, size, shape and color, and the birds bring a more uni- 

 form price on the market than the mixed types. They cost 

 no more to keep than a mongrel or a bird of mixed breed, for 

 they consume no more feed nor do they require any more labor 

 to care for them. Where pure-bred birds are kept, often con- 

 siderable revenue can be secured from stock and eggs sold for 

 breeding purposes. The additional revenue so secured is 

 almost all clear profit. These factors should be given careful 

 consideration before an attempt is made to produce eggs at a 

 profit from a flock which has been promiscuously cross bred. 



Constitutional or inherited vigor is, above everything else, 

 necessary in order that the poultry flock shall succeed con- 

 tinuously. It is the experience of the author that where the 

 stock is weak, poor hatches result, high mortality is common, 

 low egg production and sick birds are the rule. On the other 

 hand, where poultry farms have made marked success it can 

 be traced in almost every instance to sturdy, rugged, healthy, 



