BREEDS AND VARIETIES 



will of course be certain fundamental differences in 

 the different classes in the selection of the individ- 

 uals to make up the mating. Whatever the purpose, 

 however, the first consideration in selecting the 

 breeders must be to secure those which possess ex- 

 cellent vigor and general health and which meet 

 insofar as possible the standard requirements for 

 size. Where the Call duck and the Black East India 

 are concerned the selection for size must be for 

 smallness since that is a characteristic greatly de- 

 sired. In the other breeds the selection for size must 

 be to see that they come up to the standard weights 

 for the particular breed in question. As in other 

 classes of fowls the condition and cleanliness of the 

 plumage and the general appearance and actions of 

 the birds are good indications of their health and 

 thriftiness. A bright eye is likewise a valuable indi- 

 cation of good health while a watery eye is usually a 

 sign of weakness. It is necessary to guard against 

 birds which show ^ny tendency toward crooked or 

 roach back, hump back, crooked tails, or twisted 

 wings. Since all breeds of ducks should have clean or 

 unfeathered legs it is likewise necessary to guard 

 against any breeders which show down on the 

 shanks or between the toes as this sometimes occurs. 

 In selecting the mating for any one of the meat 

 breeds use birds which have good length, width and 

 depth of body so that they will have plenty of meat 



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