AMERICAN POULTRY CULTURE 
fifth season, and I could not see that the fer- 
tility was any poorer or the chicks any the less 
vigorous, although the cocks could not look after 
quite so many females as they could when younger. 
Replacing male birds every year or two gets ex- 
pensive when they are of exhibition quality, and 
that is the only reason that prompted me to retain 
the fowls so long. When he can be replaced for a 
few dollars, better not keep any male bird after he 
has gone through his third season. After that time 
most males become clumsy and awkward and their 
sexual powers begin to wane. 
Inbreeding. So far as inbreeding is concerned, 
there is little to fear if the instructions given at the 
beginning of this chapter on selecting the breeding 
stock are observed, and only sound, thoroughly 
healthy stock are used. There is danger in breed- 
ing from debilitated birds, whether they are related 
or not. Of course, inbreeding can be carried too 
far, especially by the inexperienced, and if prac- 
ticed closely and continuously, year after year, 
can result in nothing other than impaired stock; 
but if you have an extra good male and a few 
females you would like to mate together, go ahead 
and do it, even though they are slightly related. 
But be sure you know when to stop, and don’t 
keep it up closely year after year. 
At what age a hen ceases to be profitable is 
another of the many poultry problems on which 
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