999 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 103 



practice line breeding profitably and without dire results requires 

 skill and a somewhat thorough knowledge of the laws of mating. 



QUESTION What is inbreeding? 



ANSWER Inbreeding as usually referred to is an exaggerated 

 form of line breeding. Breeding from birds that are closely re- 

 lated is inbreeding, and it should not be practiced to the extent of 

 mating sisters and brothers, or following too closely the line of 

 descent from a sire to his daughters or a dam to her sons. 



QUESTION What kind of land is best adapted to poultry rais- 



ANSWER Poultry will thrive in any location where vegetation 

 of any kind will grow. A sandy or loamy soil is preferable, as it 

 absorbs offal easily, is quickly drained after heavy rains and is gen- 

 erally dry. Land sloping slightly with the houses at the highest 

 point is most desirable. 



QUESTION What is the result of close inbreeding? ' 

 ANSWER A generally weakened constitution, reduced size, 

 increased susceptibility to disease, development of defects, both 

 noticeable and latent, decreased egg production, loss of procreative 

 power and the production of delicate, short-lived progeny. 



QUESTION How can the heavy laying fowls in the flock be dis- 

 tinguished from the poorer ones? 



ANSWER The only absolutely sure way is to ascertain the 

 number of eggs laved by each individual hen, and perhaps the only 

 method which combines certainty and practicability is a reliable trap 

 nest. There is a theory somewhat commonly accepted that the best 

 layers of any breed possess a body described as slightly wedge- 

 shaped, by which is meant that the body when viewed from the side 

 widens from breast to tail. They are also generally active and alert, 

 with a certain expression of the eye which can be best discerned by 

 one who has had experience with fowls of this character. This, 

 however, is to a great extent theory only. 



QUESTION What will it cost to rear a fowl from the time it 

 is hatched till a year old? 



ANSWER To the average breeder the cost will be about one 

 dollar. 



QUESTION How many eggs will a good layer produce in a 

 year? 



ANSWER One hundred and fifty eggs per year is a good rec- 

 ord under favorable conditions. 



