999 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 109 



QUESTION Can good results be obtained from mating cocker- 

 els and pullets? 



ANSWER Yes, if they are not too young. Birds between 10 

 and 12 months of age will reproduce with good results. 



QUESTION What is the most desirable mating? 

 ANSWER A yearling cockerel to one-year-old and two-year-old 

 hens or a two-year-old cock to yearling hens. 



QUESTION Is it necessary to starve bantams and stunt them in 

 that way to get the small standard weight birds ? 



ANSWER No. Breeders who practice such methods work 

 against themselves, as the birds, when placed in the breeding pen, 

 will prove a disappointment. The eggs will not be so fertile and the 

 chicks that hatch will not be so healthy or mature properly. The 

 secret is to feed well and select the smallest birds as breeders, and 

 especially the females. 



QUESTION Will scalding water thrown all over the inside of 

 the poultry house, destroy the mites? 



ANSWER No. 



QUESTION Are any of the standard breeds naturally weaker in 

 constitution and harder to breed than other*? 

 ANSWER No. 



QUESTION Does it injure the male bird as a breeder to cut o>ff 

 his spurs? 



ANSWER No. 



QUESTION How many acres of ground should one have in 

 order to establish a poultry plant with a view to making a living 

 from it? 



ANSWER Not less tham ten acres. 



QUESTION In starting a poultry plant for market eggs and 

 meat is it better to have one breed for eggs and another for meat ? 



ANSWER No. Take one of the general purpose breeds suitable 

 for both. 



QUESTION In clipping the wings of fowls to prevent flying, 

 how can it be done so as to not detract from the looks of the bird ? 



ANSWER Clip only the flight or primary feathers of one wing. 

 By so doing the bird is not evenly balanced when it attempts to fly 

 and it falls sideways. When the wings are closed the clipped por- 

 tion of the wing cannot be seen. 



