WEEDING THE YARD. 129 



that there is neither fresh ground nor fresh air for what good 

 birds there may be. Now, the beginner may make up his mind 

 that only his very best fowls will have the slightest chance ; 

 and that to keep all these birds alive destroys what chance he 

 has, besides " spoiling his eye." If he knows enough to really 

 select the best quarter of those he has reared past chickenhood, 

 lie may be absolutely certain he has retained more than all 

 really worth keeping ; and these few will grow into finer birds 

 for such severe weeding, to which the experienced breeder with 

 limited space always subjects his yard. 



Where grass-run is unlimited this does not much matter, 

 and chickens may be kept without much detriment till full- 

 grown, for table use. But the owner of a limited yard, who 

 wants to make and maintain a reputation, cannot afford this. 

 The matter is very simply illustrated. Let us suppose he can 

 manage to rear that is, rear really well for the show-pen 

 two dozen full-grown chickens, and no more, besides what 

 adult stock he must hold over for next season's operations- 

 The novice will probably hatch about forty, and after losing 

 half-a-dozen, weed out barely a dozen of the worst. He 

 cannot expect much from the rest for the first year or two. 

 But the experienced breeder, even with better-matched stock, 

 would act differently. He would hatch at least sixty, and very 

 likely eighty birds, killing a fair proportion as soon as their 

 very first feathers, at a fortnight old, told him they would be no 

 good ; and then at a still early period he would kill half the 

 remainder. Keeping only the pick, he can hatch more. Later 

 on, when his breeding has become more certain, he can be less 

 severe ; but experienced breeders always weed out much earlier 

 and more severely than novices can find it in their hearts to do. 



We have already said that the sexes should be separated. This 

 is highly essential in the larger varieties to good size, as too early a 

 call on nature degenerates the breed. There will thus be secured 

 also greater vigour and fertility during the breeding season, 



J 



