78 PROFITABLE POULTRY PRODUCTION 



as many. Is there still any doubt as to which is the 

 more profitable to keep ? 



It is essential to have a clear idea of what is 

 wanted when breeding. In one's own yard, a 

 desired end is easily attained by eliminating from 

 the flock birds which lack qualities sought and 

 bringing together those that most nearly approach 

 a given ideal, be this egg or meat production or 

 show points. But many who desire to improve 

 their flocks by the introduction of new blood have 

 Tjeen disappointed in the birds reared from eggs or 

 purchased from breeders. 



This mistake usually arises from overlooking the 

 difference between show and utility strains of the 

 same breed. Birds bred for one purpose are 

 almost invariably inferior for the other, and this 

 with no blame attachable to the breeder. It is the 

 breeder's point of view or idea which does not 

 coincide with that of the purchaser. Most farmers 

 raise poultry for eggs or meat, or both. But even 

 so it will always be safe in writing a breeder to 

 determine as nearly as possible how his ideas of 

 poultry-breeding approach one's own and thus 

 narrow down as nearly to the right birds as pos- 

 sible. It must be recognized also that while the 

 general purpose fowl is a universal desire, yet it 

 has not been secured. By trying to combine show 

 points, egg laying and meat qualities in the one 

 bird an aspirant is almost sure to be disappointed 

 in each direction. 



As to picking out the highest scoring bird as the 

 best layer, don't try to do it. Nine times out of ten 

 she may prove a poor layer. Exhibition birds are 

 forced for show, not for eggs ; and it takes con- 

 siderable time to get them back into breeding con- 



