SojiTIXG our THE ClIICKEiXS. I^i 



they can be made in either the right or left wing. These marks are permanent ; but if desired 

 to be more easily found, a small bit of coloured silk may be drawn through one of the holes to 

 mark the place. For more temporary purposes, the best plan is to tie a bit of coloured worsted 

 securely, but rather loosely, round the leg above the foot, or to sew a piece of coloured tape round 

 in the same position. 



In small yards the changing weather should be carefully studied. On very hot days the 

 ground may be copiously watered with marked benefit, and shelter should be provided by propping 

 up boards or hurdles about a foot from the ground, under which they can resort to avoid the sun. 

 In very wet weather, should cramp appear to threaten, a few days' removal indoors to a boarded 

 floor well sanded will do wonders ; and while no floor is worse than wood for a continuance, no 

 harm in such a case will result. 



As soon after they are ten weeks old as possible, the cockerels and pullets of large breeds 

 at least ought to be separated. With small fowls it is not important so far as size is concerned, 

 and three or four weeks longer need give no trouble or uneasiness even with Asiatics ; but after 

 that the cockerels will begin to be turbulent unless separated, and this latter reason applies to 

 small breeds as well. It is not so necessary where very wide range is at command, as the birds 

 are not then brought so much in contact ; but even then is highly advisable. The sexes of most 

 breeds can be distinguished at a veiy early age. In some, especially Asiatics, the cocks may be 

 known by the first wings being narrow and pointed, and of a more or less darker colour; while the 

 pullets' wings are broader, rounder at the end, and either pencilled or of the self-colour of the 

 breed. In a few breeds this does not hold good, the cockerel's wings being if anything the larger 

 of the two; but in all breeds we believe the pullets fledge the quickest, especially on the back and 

 down the breast. In general the heads of the cockerels are also larger, the combs more prominent, 

 and the carriage taller and more upright. Nearly every fancier can tell the sexes of his own 

 breed at a very early age ; and Asiatics at least can easily be distinguished at about a fortnight to 

 three weeks old, after a little experience and observation. 



The same period is convenient for "weeding" the yard, or looking the chickens carefully over 

 in order to pick out those which are only good enough for killing. Happy is the fancier who has 

 but few of such ! — though with every year the proportion should decrease, and there are breeders 

 who can produce chickens of which more than half are fit for exhibition. We have already spoken 

 of the importance of being able to distinguish early between chickens which are likely to be first- 

 class and those which are worthless ; and will only here add that after some study this can often 

 be done in great measure at a very early age. By the time we are considering, the amateur who 

 has had a little experience should be able to make the needful selection pretty easily, and the 

 knife should be extensively used. with a stern hand. Many young amateurs make a very great 

 mistake here, by not killing off nearly enough of their stock. At commencing, the proportion of 

 such " wasters " will almost inevitably be very large. Let us suppose that about thirty chickens can 

 be reared, and that the preceding year our young fancier hatched forty and killed ten of the worst, 

 finding probably that only ten out of the thirty left were up to exhibition or breeding standard. 

 With the experience of that season, he will be able to do his weeding now more carefully, and may 

 probably determine that he will hatch fifty and kill off twenty ; whereas it would be far better for 

 him to hatch eighty or ninety, and only keep the thirty best. Later on he will not need, if he 

 uses judgment, to hatch nearly so many to obtain his thirty good chickens ; but many a young 

 amateur would obtain a good position far earlier than he does, did he thus hatch and kill 

 more liberally, so as to retain good chickens to the e.xtent of his accommodation. Again, when 

 chickens are being reared for exhibition, even supposing thirty can be kept, twenty would keep 



