CHAPTER XX 



BUILDING UP A LAYING STRAIN 



Building up a laying strain is a subject that is re- 

 ceiving much attention among the poultry raisers in 

 these days of high prices for eggs. Experience has 

 taught poultrymen the futility of haphazard methods 

 formerly practiced in the selecting and caring of 

 flocks. Proper selections in the breeding stock, 

 coupled with correctly balanced rations and good 

 care have brought about wonderful changes in the 

 productiveness of the present day hen. 



To build up a laying strain, man must assist na- 

 ture; fixed methods must be used in the breeding; 

 some system must be devised for the selection and 

 good judgment used in the feeding. It requires 

 study and work to bring about the desired results. 



Every one who has had any experience with poul- 

 try knows that among hens of the same breeds, and 

 even from the same parents, there is a difference in 

 the productiveness. It is another case of proving 

 that like does not always produce like. That is one 

 reason good laying strains are not so easily made. 

 The great stumbling block with the utility poultry 

 raiser is the inability to distinguish between good 

 and poor layers in a flock of otherwise healthy hens. 



The average farm flock of today is not up to the 

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