PRINCIPLES OF POULTRY BREEDING 



73 



breed pure or true to certain characteristics of color and 

 shape, but are impure from the standpoint of egg produc- 

 tion. 



Cross Breeding. In considering poultry breeding from 

 the farm standpoint, it should not be overlooked that a large 

 proportion of poultry products come from fowls that are not 

 pure-bred. A great 

 many farmers practice 

 crossing ; others practice 

 grading possibly 

 a large majority; while 

 not a few follow another 

 system which may be 

 called mongrelizing. 

 This chapter has to do 

 with the first, crossing. 

 Probably most of the 

 farmers of the country 

 recognize the necessity 

 o f introducing new 

 blood into the flock and 

 of avoiding inbreeding, 

 but they have not BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCK MALE 

 chosen, intentionally or 

 otherwise, to preserve 

 breed characteristics as 

 they are described in the "Standard of Perfection." Com- 

 paratively few of them pay attention to exhibition points. 

 It is contended that the farmer makes a mistake in not 

 keeping strictly standard-bred fowls, but he excuses him- 

 self on the ground : First, that the initial cost of stocking 

 up with standard-breds is greater than the business would 

 warrant ; second, it has not been demonstrated to his satis- 

 faction that standard-breds are better producers than cross- 



Oregon Station. Dam laid 214 eggs and 

 sire's dam 218. A fine type of Plymouth 

 Rock, but rather large as a breeder of high 

 egg producers. 



