!-,< The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



hgo-ed than the earlier birds ; we have often remarked this in our own }-ard, and it has also been 

 observed by others. From these facts, while nothing like certainty can be obtained, it is manifest 

 that the breeder possesses considerable power of obtaining such results as are desired. 



Finally, we would say that after the birds are properly mated, they should not, if possible, be 

 disturbed, as such disturbance frequently leads to unforeseen disappointment. A cock separated 

 from the hens he has been mated with, and put to others after an interval, not unfrequently turns 

 sulky and thrashes them severely, instead of showing them proper attention. We remember once 

 buying in February a fine Brahma cock for a friend, which, though in perfect health, never took to 

 his new mates, but always beat them unmercifully at feeding-time ; and we found, on another 

 occasion, our breeding for a whole season disarranged, and eggs sadly diminished, by a removal late 

 in January, after the birds had been some weeks together. For this reason it never answers well to 

 make a practice of exhibiting stock-birds during the breeding season. This foolish practice is very 

 common among the many who care more for prizes than for their fowls ; but when it does not lead 

 to entire sterility (which is often the case) it almost always involves a weakly progeny. Once 

 carefully mated, therefore, let the brood stock remain quietly in their runs till the season is over, 

 when the chickens will probably do credit to the parents from which they are descended. 





