184 POULTR?Y-CRAFT. 
developed specimens and those showing defects likely to diminish their future 
usefulness. In breeding thoroughbred stock, proper culling is of great 
importance. It is not often that a poultryman has such superabundance of 
room that it will pay him to keep inferior specimens until grown. The 
economic aspects of the question will be considered in the next chapter. 
Here comment will be limited to suggestions as to the selection of the poorer 
specimens. 
There are five classes of defects to be considered in culling : — 
(1). Derormitizs, which are constitutional and ineradicable. These are 
not always noticeable in very young chicks, and those that are noticed then 
may be of such character that they do not affect table qualities. Chicks so 
deformed, should be allowed to live until large enough to be eaten, and no longer. 
(2). GENERAL WEAKNESS AND WorRTHLESSNESS, which may be consti- 
tutional, or may be due to mismanagement affecting particular chicks more 
than others. ‘These chicks are simply spoiled in the growing. It is useless 
to try to make good stock of them. 
(3). Biemisues (according to the Standard) WuicH ARE [RREMEDIABLE, 
Of this class are such faults as feathered legs on chicks of clean legged 
breeds, scantily feathered legs in full feathered varieties, color faults that will 
not be outgrown, radical departures from typical shape. Birds thus defective 
are not worth keeping for stock birds; but many of the pullets may be 
reserved for layers 7f there 2s room _for them, and if they can be used or sold 
as such; otherwise, the quicker they go to market the more profitable they are. 
(4). BLemisnes. WuicH May BE Ourcrown— such color defects as 
white in the flights of black chicks, red in white ear lobes,— or the reverse,— 
poor muscular development on big framed chicks, scant plumage on chicks 
with good bone and muscle, etc. 
(5). Fautts Wnicn (to the uneducated taste) APPEAR TO BE ExcEL- 
LENCIES. The most conspicuous example of this kind,—really the only one 
of importance,— is premature attainment of the symmetry of a mature fowl. 
This fault is frequently met in all varieties. It is an accompaniment of 
precocity. The symmetrical chicks aré at first much more attractive than 
their less precocious companions, and the novice is apt to think he has a 
‘*world beater,” when he has only a miserable runt, as he finds when all are 
matured. 
The beginner cannot practice very close culling, for it requires a few years 
of watching chicks as they grow, and noting the changes as they approach 
maturity, to enable him to know the defects which will be outgrown, and 
those which will increase. Each year, however, he should cull closer and 
closer, both in selecting for the breeding yard, and in handling the growing 
stock. 
