PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



to market, there should remain but two classes, the breeding 

 flock and the laying flock. Many fowls that would not pass 

 muster as breeders can be used in the laying flock. 



Culling should be made at least four times in a year — 

 March, June, September and December. In December 

 breeding pens are made up. The defectives are put with the 

 laying flock, and those that meet standard requirements are 

 saved for the breeding pen. At this culling some weaklings 

 will be found that should not be saved for egg-pro.duction. 

 These can be conditioned for market along with any surplus 

 cockerels that are not suited to be sold as breeders. In March, 

 all the hens that will prove unprofitable producers can be 

 detected, for at this season every hen that is worth saving will 

 lay. 



In June, another culling of the layers will weed out a few 

 that have passed the productive age and some poor producers 

 that were overlooked in earlier cullings. Early hatched 

 cockerels can also be culled at this time, some to be caponized, 

 others to be marketed as broilers. 



In September a thorough culling should be made. It is 

 possible then to detect the early molters, and the condition of 

 plumage and pigmentation makes it quite easy to pick out the 

 good layers. At this time, also, the young stock can be 

 selected for the fattening crate and the laying and breeding 

 pens. 



As an aid to memory in making culling demonstrations I 

 have used the word "T-e-a-c-h", each letter in this word 

 representing an important step in the work: Type, Energy, 

 Anatomy, Condition, Habit. 



Type is conformity to an ideal in shape. In culling non- 

 layers, type is a very important item. We have discussed the 

 different types — meat type, dual purpose type, and egg type. 

 What do we mean by an egg type? Evidently that confor- 

 mation of body and bodily structures which is conducive to 

 highest egg-production. Is there an egg type and, if so, what 

 is it? Breeders are not agreed upon any single type of fowl 

 as better adapted to egg-production than all others. Some 

 prefer the wedge-shaped. Such a fowl is full in the abdomen 

 but the body gradually tapers toward the neck. If the hen is 

 viewed from above or the side or the rear it presents the form 

 of a wedge. The wedge-shape appeals to them because it 

 indicates large abdominal capacity. 



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