150 POULTR?Y-CRAFT. 
Excessively large males should be discarded. They are rarely good in 
shape, and not infrequently the excessive growth of bone and muscle is 
correlative with defective generative organs. In all breeds having Standard 
weight, best results, as far as results depend on size, are obtained by using 
birds whose weight, in good breeding condition equals or slightly exceeds the 
requirements of the Standard. In the smaller breeds most satisfactory results 
are obtained by using the largest birds having typical shape. 
In selecting breeding fowls of cross bred, grade, or mongrel stock, selection 
for uniformity in shape, size, and color is advisable, the type used in each 
quality being that most desirable for the breeder’s immediate purpose. In 
breeding thoroughbred fowls uniformity of color is imperative. Color 
matings for Standard fowls are described in 4215 — 226. 
204. Performance.— Under this head prolificacy is considered from a 
little different point of view than in treating of egg production. A hen may 
be a great layer and a poor breeder. The points most valued in a breeder are: 
(1) Ability to produce numerously vigorous offspring of the general type; 
and (2) Prepotency, breeding power, ability to stamp individual qualities on 
offspring. The combination of marked prepotency and great excellence is 
rare. It would, perhaps, be discovered oftener if more accurate records of 
matings and results were kept. The distinction between prepotency and 
prolificacy should be observed. In breeding high class stock a very prepotent 
fowl may be valuable as a breeder, though not specially prolific ; but generally 
birds low in prolificacy cannot be profitably used. 
205. Condition.— Fowls selected for breeding should have strong con- 
stitutions, should be in perfect health when put in the breeding pen, and 
should never have been seriously sick or badly out of condition. Fowls 
which as chicks were puny or backward, though finally nursed into good 
condition, are not desirable breeders; nor are those which though never 
seriously sick, have been marked as subject to slight disorders. Condition 
of the breeders is of greatest importance. Hundreds of thousands of chicks 
are hatched, weak in constitution, predisposed to certain disorders, destined 
to die prematurely in spite of all that can be done for them. 
206. Selecting Breeders to Produce Laying Stock.— The male 
should be from good laying stock: the females selected for individual 
performance in egg production, and when possible, according to the laying 
qualities of their daughters. One who is much among his fowls, observing 
them closely, can form a pretty good idea of the relative laying capacities of 
the hens. If the hens cannot be watched quite closely, trap nests should be 
used. In selecting young hens for breeders, pedigree counts most, for the 
performance observed can only be for a few weeks or months prior to the 
time of mating. In selecting hens, judgment can take account of a year’s 
