EGGS FOR BREEDING 29 



so much depends, is half starved, becomes thin and light. Every 

 male bird when being used to fertilize eggs should be fed extra, 

 either in a pen or corner by himself, or out of your hand at least 

 once a day. 



Mating 



In mating up the pens I have found the most satisfactory num- 

 ber to mate is about eight or not over ten females of the American 

 breeds to one male. From twelve to fifteen of the Leghorns or 

 Mediterranean birds, and from six to eight of the Asiatic class to 

 one male. Some breeders advocate using two male birds in one 

 pen, alternating them day about, or three male birds for two pens, 

 allowing one bird to rest every second or third day. I never did 

 this, because I was keeping a pedigree of my fowls, and never found 

 any necessity for it. 



Caring for Fertile Eggs 



Having the fertility assured, the next thing is to take care of the 

 eggs from the time they are laid until incubation begins. Eggs 

 should be kept in a moderately cool, quiet place ; not in a draught. 

 I always imitate Nature and turn the eggs, just as a hen would, 

 every day, keeping them in a box either in the cellar or a large, 

 dark, but airy, closet. Some people keep them in fillers with the 

 little end down, but I prefer following Nature's ways and leaving 

 them on their side. 



To Choose Eggs for Hatching 



To choose the eggs for hatching I use an egg tester or I roll up 

 a newspaper in the shape of a telescope, putting the egg at one 

 end in the sun and my eye at the other end. If the egg shell is 

 speckled or thin at one end, or has thin blotches on it, or is mis- 

 shapen in any way, or if it feels chalky to the touch, I reject that 

 egg, relegating it to the kitchen, for these eggs will not hatch. I 

 also reject very small eggs, as they are laid by pullets or by over-fat 

 hens, and if they hatch, the chickens will be weaklings. The very 

 large eggs should also be rejected, as they may have double yolks, 

 and these seldom hatch healthy chickens. Above all, never sell for 

 hatching eggs those as described above. The best eggs are the 

 egg-shaped eggs, with good, firm, smooth shells and not narrow 

 waisted. 



