24 POULTRY BREEDING IN 



hinges. By adopting this plan, the whole run can be 

 removed in a few minutes, or any part can be taken 

 away for repair without interfering with the others, or 

 some spare frames might even be kept in stock to re- 

 place those that want repairing. 



r 



GENERAL RULES TO BE OBSERVED IN POULTRY 

 BREEDING. 



The Breeding Stock. 



i st. The hens selected to breed from should be kept 

 apart from the cock until they are at least twelve 

 months old ; and the cock should not be less than 

 eighteen months old before he is put with hens, as a 

 too early call on nature degenerates the breed. 



2d. Whatever races are selected, they should be the 

 most perfect specimens that can be obtained, as the 

 first outlay will repay itself. 



3d. That the distinct races be kept strictly separate 

 except where it is intended to obtain a cross breed ; and 

 for this the finest specimens of both races and sexes 

 should be selected. 



4th. Not more than six hens should be allotted to 

 a cock. 



5th. After the third breeding year it is advisable 

 either to sell the stock or to fatten them for the market, 

 as they become less fecund, and their progeny are apt 

 to degenerate. 



6th. The eggs should be collected at least three times 

 a day, as in a fecundated egg, when set upon for a few 

 hours, the germ very soon gets developed, and the egg 

 is afterwards unfit for hatching/ 



