430 POULTRY 



321. Selecting Breeds. The hen which the general 

 farmer needs is one that lays well, especially in those sea- 

 sons of the year when eggs are high in price, and one that 

 will dress out a fair quantity of meat for the table. There 

 are poor layers even among the Leghorns, and it is, there- 

 fore, wise to place much emphasis on those strains or 

 families that are strong in egg production, regardless of 

 breeds. It is a simple matter to select breeds for rneat- 



WHITE WYANDOTTES. 



producing qualities from mere appearances, but the ability 

 to produce eggs must be determined by actual performance. 

 322. Housing of Poultry. Chickens have a temperature 

 much higher than man has, and in order to maintain in 

 them what to us would be a fever heat, plenty of fresh air 

 should enter the chicken houses. The movement for the 

 fresh-air poultry house is a recent one. Enough practical 

 farmers, however, have shown its advantages over a warm 

 house, in securing better egg production, fertility of eggs, 

 and vigor of chicks raised from the stock, to warrant a 



