92 PROFITABLE POULTRY PRODUCTION 



in-breeding which is often adopted to develop high 

 production or other qualities can be followed with 

 success only when special attention is given to 

 mating strong individuals. Breeders frequently 

 lack the courage to sacrifice weak individuals which 

 show other desirable qualities. Pullets which have 

 produced large quantities of eggs in fall and winter 

 may have lowered their vitality before the breeding 

 season begins, so that the breeder will be running 

 a risk to use such fowls as parents. By using these 

 birds and their progeny for a succession of genera- 

 tions, it is thought there may be a tendency to 

 shorten the natural life of the race of fowls and 

 also lower the vigor. When breeding from mature 

 fowls two or more years old, the tendency should 

 be to increase longevity and vitality. 



Trouble is likely to arise from heavy feeding for 

 large egg yield during fall and winter, because egg 

 production is not natural at that season. Hens or 

 pullets so fed should not be expected to produce 

 eggs for hatching. Fowls imder normal and natural 

 conditions, when allowed to stand most of the year 

 storing up energy for reproduction, are almost sure 

 to do far better. For breeding purposes the}'- should 

 be selected long before the breeding season, fed and 

 housed without regard to market, but with an eye 

 single to the production of numerous hatchable eggs 

 during the natural mating season. 



There is no question that congestion or crowding 

 of the breeding stock is one of the most serious 

 causes of impaired vitality. Fowls kept in large 

 numbers should be on extensive farms rather than 

 in crowded quarters. Land occupied by fowls 

 should also be used for grass, grain and fruit crops ; 

 the poultry department being-! incidental. This 



