CHAPTER XVIII 



CONSTITUTIONAL VIGOR 



WHETHER we breed fancy, utility, or mongrel fowls 

 there should be a constant endeavor to build up the 

 flock if we expect to attain success. Probably I 

 should have left the mongrel hen out of considera- 

 tion, though I have known mixed flocks that gave a 

 good account of themselves. But as a rule, when a 

 person gets to the point where he or she is sufficiently 

 interested in the hens to improve them, it does not 

 take long to be convinced that if there is to be any 

 marked improvement pure bred fowls must be kept. 



The breed matters little, being largely a matter of 

 personal preference. What is most important is the 

 constitutional vigor of the flock, and that is a matter 

 of careful selection, breeding and care. 



This care must be exercised first by the beginner 

 in the purchasing of the breeding stock, baby chicks 

 or the eggs, and this same careful selection for hardi- 

 ness and vigor must be continued during the future 

 operation of the poultry plant. A flock may easily 

 deteriorate and not be profitable. 



To accomplish the greatest amount of good in 

 building up the flock it will be necessary to start with 

 the chicks from the time they are taken from the 



92 



