The Essentials of Poultry Raising 31 



are more than a year old. If pullets or cockerels must be bred 

 from, it is preferable to mate the old male to pullets and the 

 young m^le to hens. If pullets and cockerels must be mated 

 together, they should be mature, that is, hatched early. 



51. Objects of Poultry Breeding on the Farm. The objects of 

 breeding poultry on .the farm are : first, to bring a flock of 

 mixed breeding up to a level with the best individuals of that 

 flock, and, second, to fix certain characteristics, such as large 

 egg production. In breeding poultry we wish to fix the follow- 

 ing characteristics : constitutional vigor, high fertility, high egg 

 production, early maturity, besides- other characteristics which 

 the breeder may desire, such as a particular feather pattern. 



52. Lack of Constitutional Vigor. The lack of constitutional 

 vigor is indicated by lack of proper development of the head, 

 comb, wattles, ear lobes, and body. Such a bird is easily cowed 

 by other birds. 



53. Good Constitutional Vigor. Good constitutional vigor is 

 shown by a well-developed head, comb, wattles, ear lobe, and 

 body. The bird stands squarely on .its feet. In males, vigor is 

 noted by the crow, attentiveness to the hens, and readiness to 

 banter and to fight when a strange male comes around. (Com- 

 pare Figs. 14 and 15.) 



54. Length of Time After Mating Fowls Before Saving Eggs 

 for Hatchiiig. If hens have not been running with male birds 

 before being mated, eggs may be saved for hatching purposes 

 at the end of six days. If the hens have been running with 

 males before being mated, it will be necessary to wait twenty 

 days before saving eggs for hatching. 



55. Selecting Turkeys for Breeding. Select turkeys of good 

 size. Turkeys for breeding should be mature, of good weight, 

 and of good constitutional vigor. Do not breed from birds with 

 deformed backs, crooked breasts, or wrytails. 



56. Selecting Ducks for Breeding. The largest specimens 

 should be selected. The drake is considered at his best the first 



