CHAPTER IV 



HOW TO SELECT BIRDS FOR BREEDING 



Note to Teacher : The class should be taken to the school and nearby 

 flocks to study constitutional vigor. As this study will come in the fall, 

 the summer flocks should still be available. 



38. Purposes for Which Birds Are Kept. Birds are kept for 

 egg production, meat production, utility (general purposes), or 

 for ornamental purposes. 



39. Egg Production. The Single-Comb White Leghorn and 

 the Single-Comb Black Minorca have been bred for high egg 

 production and are among the most common breeds kept for 

 the laying of eggs. The small body of the Single-Comb White 

 Leghorn makes her the best and most economical egg producer. 

 She will consume about ten pounds less feed for body main- 

 tenance than the birds of larger breeds. By proper selec- 

 tion, the larger breeds can also be bred up to very high egg 

 production. 



40. The power of high egg production is transmitted by both 

 the male and female birds. 



4L Meat Production. Some breeds are raised particularly for 

 meat production because the quality of their meat is superior 

 to that of other breeds. The Dark Cornish (Fig. 9) is one of 

 the best of the meat breeds. 



42. Qualities of a Meat Fowl. A meat fowl should have a 

 deep keel, well fleshed over, making a round, plump breast. The 

 skin should be soft and kid-glove-like to the touch. 



43. Utility Fowls. Utility or general-purpose fowls are raised 

 for both egg production and for meat. They are especially 

 recommended for the farm, where both eggs and meat are de- 

 sired in fairly large quantities. The Barred Plymouth Rock, 



