SELECTING A BREED 
(1) Non-sitting varieties make it necessary to 
depend upon other hens for hatching, or upon 
artificial methods; and this is often inconvenient 
or costly with a small flock. 
(2) The ornamental and other strictly “fancy” 
breeds which are not prominently mentioned or 
illustrated herein, are not extensively bred and 
trouble will be experienced in securing stock of 
them, as well as of those varieties described as 
“ rarely bred.” 
(3) The newer varieties breed less true to 
feather than the old, well-established varieties. 
On the one hand, this requires greater skill in 
breeding and makes the percentage of culls 
greater, while on the other hand it causes good 
specimens to bring higher prices. 
The advice that the beginner should not attempt 
Advantages of to handle more than one breed is old 
Specializing but nevertheless true. It is absurd to 
start out with several breeds with the idea of test- 
ing their relative merits; nine times out of ten the 
man who tries this plan never learns any one va- 
riety well enough to get the best out of it. After 
the beginner has made a success with one breed, 
he may try to repeat the operation with another 
breed, if he desires; but it is not likely that he would 
care to sacrifice his reputation as a specialty breeder 
after once getting it and realizing its advantages. 
Having selected the breed you like best and 
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