12 THE PEOPLE'S PRACTICAL POULTRY BOOK. 



known instances, though rare, of a cock serving twenty to twenty^nVe hens, 

 and the eggs being very fertile. Again, a cock was cooped up with four 

 hens, and it was found that when penned with two the eggs hatched twenty- 

 five per cent, better than with the four. We think the latter case is of rare * 

 occurrence ; a safe average is four to six hens to a cock. A few days' ob- 

 servation will enable one to tell whether more or less hens are needed. A 

 young cock that has had a dozen or twenty hens to run with the first year is 

 rarely fit for more than three or four the second. But if well cared for the 

 first, and allowed not more than six hens, he is usually good for three or four 

 years' service. We know many are prejudiced against using old cocks, and 

 usually their prejudice is founded on experience like the above. A young 

 cock with old hens is our preference for breeding stock, though many reverse 

 it and put an old cock with young pullets. We know the hen lays a larger 

 egg than the pullet, and a large egg must certainly bring out a larger chick 

 than a small one ; and, as a rule, (to which there are many exceptions,) a 

 young cock is more vigorous than an old one. Therefore we think this selec- 

 tion preferable. Some, we are aware, contend that the cock has more in- 

 fluence on the progeny than the hen, and that an old cock, being more mature 

 and developed, will throw better chicks. Such has not been our experience, 

 however, after a close observation of several years' duration." 



PREMIUM BIRDS DO NOT PRODUCE THE BEST CHICKENS. 



For the purpose of more fully carrying out our idea of breeding fowls 

 to perfection and pointing out their imperfections, we have selected the 

 Brahma as an example, (the principle will apply to any other breed,) and 

 in this connection give, from Moore's Rural New-Yorker, the experience 

 and advice of a gentleman who makes the breeding of fowls a science. 

 He says: " Premium birds do not always produce the best chickens. Good 

 results may often be obtained from moderate stock, provided that they be 

 so selected that the defects of the cock may be counteracted by those of 

 the hens. Size in the Brahma is not of so mueh importance as most people 

 give to it. Fine, large chickens may be reared from small parents by proper 

 care and attention, and good, regular and judicious feeding. 



INFLUENCE UPON THE FANCY POINTS. 



" The cock has the most influence upon the fancy points, while the hen 

 has most upon the form and size. If more attention were paid to the shape 

 and straightness of the comb of the cock, we should see less of those grave 

 defects which so frequently mar whole pens. I have seen magnificent birds 

 with such crooked and fungus-like combs as would almost disqualify them in 

 my opinion. Judges have been too liberal with these defects. It is quite 

 time such liberality was stopped. Crooked combs should be bred out and 

 not tolerated. The comb is one of the most prominent characteristics of 

 the bird, and almost the first object which meets the eye. It touches our 

 sense of the beautiful immediately to see a small head and straight comb, 



