BREEDINa 61 



is mated to females that are darker in color than called for 

 in the standard. This is known as the cockerel mating 

 and produces exhibition cockerels and cockerel-bred pul- 

 lets (those which are darker in color than exhibition pullets). 

 To secure exhibition females a Hghter colored male is mated 

 to exhibition or standard females, that is, females having 

 black and white barring of equal width. This is known 

 as a pullet mating and produces exhibition pullets and Ught 

 colored cockerels, or, as they are called, pullet-bred cock- 

 erels. 



Stud mating. This system of mating is not as commonly 

 used with fowls as those previously mentioned. As prac- 

 ticed the male or males are kept separate from the females 

 and are only mated at certain periods. The object of stud 

 mating is for the purpose of breeding individual females 

 in one flock for instance to two or more males, having in 

 mind a definite purpose of breeding. To carry on this plan 

 successfully it is necessary to trapnest the females. (See 

 page 149.) After each second or third egg produced the fe- 

 male is removed from the trap nest, taken to the male, and 

 left with him until copulation takes place. It has been 

 found that more frequent copulation is unnecessary to secure 

 satisfactory fertility. 



Flock, or mass, breeding. This form of breeding, as the 

 name implies, refers to the mating of the entire flock, wherein 

 there may be several males. This plan is not recommended 

 unless all the individuals of the flock are selected for some 

 definite purpose of breeding. 



TIME TO MATE 

 The breeding pen should be mated at least two weeks 

 before beginning to save eggs for hatching. When less 

 time is allowed the greatest number of fertile eggs is not 

 likely to be secured. When possible, the mating should 

 be made far enough in advance so that a few eggs could be 



