1 50 PO UL TR r- CRAFT. 



Excessively large males should be discarded. They are rarely good in 

 shape, and not infrequently the excessive growth of bone and muscle is 

 correlative with defective generative organs. In all breeds having Standard 

 weight, best results, as far as results depend on size, are obtained by using 

 birds whose weight, in good breeding condition equals or slightly exceeds the 

 requirements of the Standard. In the smaller breeds most satisfactory results 

 are obtained by using the largest birds having typical shape. 



In selecting breeding fowls of cross bred, grade, or mongrel stock, selection 

 for uniformity in shape, size, and color is advisable, the type used in each 

 quality being that most desirable for the breeder's immediate purpose. In 

 breeding thoroughbred fowls uniformity of color is imperative. Color 

 matings for Standard fowls are described in ^[215 226. 



204. Performance. Under this head prolificacy is considered from a 

 little different point of view than in treating of egg production. A hen may 

 be a great layer and a poor breeder. The points most valued in a breeder are : 

 (i) Ability to produce numerously vigorous offspring of the general type; 

 and (2) Prepotency, breeding power, ability to stamp individual qualities on 

 offspring. The combination of marked prepotency and great excellence is 

 rare. It would, perhaps, be discovered oftener if more accurate records of 

 matings and results were kept. The distinction between prepotency and 

 prolificacy should be observed. In breeding high class stock a very prepotent 

 fowl may be valuable as a breeder, though not specially prolific ; but generally 

 birds low in prolificacy cannot be profitably used. 



205. Condition. Fowls selected for breeding should have strong con- 

 stitutions, should be in perfect health when put in the breeding pen, and 

 should never have been seriously sick or badly out of condition. Fowls 

 which as chicks were puny or backward, though finally nursed into good 

 condition, are not desirable breeders ; nor are those which though never 

 seriously sick, have been marked as subject to slight disorders. Condition 

 of the breeders is of greatest importance. Hundreds of thousands of chicks 

 are hatched, weak in constitution, predisposed to certain disorders, destined 

 to die prematurely in spite of all that can be done for them. 



206. Selecting Breeders to Produce Laying Stock. The male 

 should be from good laying stock : the females selected for individual 

 performance in egg production, and when possible, according to the laying 

 qualities of their daughters. One who is much among his fowls, observing 

 them closely, can form a pretty good idea of the relative laying capacities of 

 the hens. If the hens cannot be watched quite closely, trap nests should be 

 used. In selecting young hens for breeders, pedigree counts most, for the 

 performance observed can only be for a few weeks or months prior to the 

 time of mating. In selecting hens, judgment can take account of a year's 



