222 PRINCIPLES OF POULTRY BREEDING 
to the fancier, who keeps a smaller number of birds and aims to 
secure color pattern rather than utility qualities. This tendency 
is changing in recent years, and the value of well-bred birds for 
egg production and market poultry is becoming better appreciated. 
The chief reason for the lack of interest in the improvement 
of poultry has been the fact that most farmers regard the raising 
of poultry as a side issue, and hence give it little consideration. 
Another cause is the erroneous view which many farmers take in 
regarding the value of the products, and the possibilities offered 
through study and improvement, as matters entirely too small to 
deserve attention. 
Many of our most successful keepers still believe that improve- 
ment can best be brought about through feeding, and that selec- 
tion, when practised, is not rigid enough or along the lines which 
would insure direct improvement. ; 
The birds of any poultry flock, wherever kept for profit, 
should be considered and treated as machines,—living machines, 
which, when given raw material in the form of feed, will transform 
it into finished agricultural products, such as eggs and meat. 
These manufactured products represent great value in small 
bulk, and can be shipped great distances at little cost. In the 
production of market eggs this concentration of the finished product 
is very noticeable. One dozen eggs weighing about twenty-four 
ounces (114 Ibs.) contain more human food material than the 
same weight of milk. 
TasLe XVII.—Composition of Eggs Compared with Milk. 
4 tb). Water. Ash. Protein. ig Fat. Dry matter. 
Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. 
Eggs.......-.. 0.99 |0.18 | 0.16 0.00 0.12 0.46 
Milk... ice 1.30 01 .05 .07 05 18 
If the domestic hen is to be considered as a machine, and if 
the most profitable returns are to be realized from her, this machine 
must be carefully selected, and trained to the highest degree of 
efficiency. If a bird of a certain type will lay more eggs in a year, 
of larger and more uniform size than another bird, and meet all 
the requirements of the egg market, this type should be given the 
preference by egg producers. Again, if one type or breed of birds 
