160 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



birds shall have stamina, size, and unimpaired laying powers, 

 must not indulge in so foolish a practice. The state of the 

 breeding stock, in very many of the farmyards of this country, 

 where we find miserable, weedy mongrels, of no use either 

 for laying or to put upon the table, is very largely due to 

 the in-breeding which has gone on generation after genera- 

 tion, and to the want of regard for the selection of breeding 

 birds. Of course, it may be accepted as a fact, that all our 

 various breeds of birds have been produced by more or less 

 in-breeding ; but even acknowledging that much, it has been 

 a gradual process, and not a forced one. Therefore, it is 

 more than necessary, that the birds mated together should be 

 unrelated. Only by care in putting them together, can this 

 be secured ; but the result is worth all the trouble. 



The next subject which must be touched upon, is that of 

 the number of hens to be put with each cock, as the fertility 

 of the eggs will naturally greatly depend upon this. No 

 certain rule can be laid down applicable to all breeds, as 

 the number varies, not only with the breed itself, but with 

 the circumstances under which they are kept. For in- 

 stance, birds in a confined run are more indolent and less 

 vigorous than those at liberty, whilst the state of the 

 weather has much to do with the question also ; and, again, 

 a young bird should have a larger harem than an old one. 

 So far as a rule can be laid down, not more than four hens 

 should be given to a cock of any of the larger and heavier 

 breeds, i.e., Cochins, Brahmas, Dorkings, Langshans, and 

 Scotch Greys, when in confinement ; but, if at liberty, then 

 this number may be increased to six or eight. The lighter 

 breeds can take six or eight in confinement, and a dozen when 

 at liberty. These numbers will have to be varied according 

 to the season of the year ; of course fewer being given in 

 severe weather, and more added, as it gets warmer and finer. 

 The best test is, that when too few hens are given, they will 



