CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT FERTILITY. 



Success in Hatching and Rearing Depends Upon tlie Health 



of tlie Breeding Fowls and the Manner in Which 



They are Housed and Cared For. 



By F. G. Thayer. 



Every season much disappointment is caused by a low 

 percentage of fertility of eggs or the failure of such eggs 

 to give satisfaction during the hatching season. 



Fowls should be at their best their second season for 

 breeding. If not forced they will lay large eggs which will 

 hatch stronger and better chicks. A cock that is in his 

 prime will get better chickens than it was possible for him 

 to get as a cockerel. A method employed by many is to 

 mate cock birds with pullets and cockerels with two-year- 

 olds. All breeding males should be selected for their type, 

 vigor and activity. 



Health is the Foundation of Success. 



The first thing to secure good fertility is good breeding 

 stock that is standard and has health, vigor and good 

 constitution. This is the foundation of successful incuba- 

 tion. Unless the breeding birds are sound, healthy and 

 in the best possible condition for reproduction of their 

 kind, satisfactory results cannot be obtained. With good 

 stock we may expect, under proper conditions, to get a 

 high percentage of fertile eggs. Eggs from birds out of 

 condition, either from inbreeding, sickness, improper food 

 or unsanitary surroundings will not produce the best results. 

 Never breed from a bird that is sick or ever has had a severe 

 sickness. Keeping the male bird with the hens will not 

 insure strong, fertile eggs if his welfare is not seen to. If 

 the hens are fat or dumpy the eggs will be infertile. 



The number of hens to a male varies according to the 

 breed and conditions under which the fowls are kept. 

 Do not allow more than one male in the pen at the same time 



