Developing pullets for heavy layers in Weeks System 



CHAPTER VIII 



DEVELOPING PULLETS FOR HEAVY LAYERS 



TO make each year's pullets better than the parent stock is a diffi- 

 cult task. To do so requires the most exact selection of the parent 

 stock for vigor and prepotency with due regard to maturity and prime 

 condition. Pullets must excel parent stock in order to make progress in 

 developing a strain. This parent stock' must be correctly mated with 

 long years of breeding behind both male and female, and the matings 

 must not be closely related and should be of mature age. To make a 

 correct mating excel itself in progeny requires a condition in this parent 

 stock that is the very best possible. The parent stock must be at the 

 zenith in condition, at the climax of the highest moment of their 

 existence, in order to stamp superiority in the young. 



Sunshine, fresh air, plenty of exercise, clean quarters free from dust, 

 and pure, wholesome feed constitute the environment that will be 

 conducive for best results from well-mated birds. Do not feed wet 

 mashes or sloppy feeds to breeding stock. Selection and conditioning 

 of breeding stock is the first essential toward producing better pullets. 



60 



