VIGOR 87 



ers and eventually if it recovers be marketed. The chick may re- 

 cover from its weakness but still retain the inherited tendency and 

 transmit it to the offspring, so that the rule should be to always 

 eliminate the weak. A satisfactory way of marking that I have 

 used is to paint a bar across the back with a few drops of bluing 

 or with Diamond dye, which will last until the chicken moults. 



"How can I distinguish the weak from the vigorous fowl?" asks 

 a correspondent. 



The weak chicken is inactive, and dumpy, is inclined to squat 

 down instead or stand, or has leg weakness— does not scratch — is 

 the last to get off the roost in the morning and the first to go on 

 at night. It may frequently be found on the perch during the day, 

 disinclined to do anything, is "born tired." 



A loud and hearty crow is one sign of a vigorous male, also his 

 calling up his harem to eat the best and choicest morsels before 

 partaking himself (the careful attendant should see that the male 

 bird that is so devoted to his wives should have extra food himself, 

 or he may fail to transmit his vigor to his offspring). 



The shape of the body of the fowl at all stages of development 

 is an indication. A vigorous fowl will be sturdy of frame, with a 

 thick, compact body, large fluff, smooth, bright feathers, prominent 

 eyes. Whilst a fowl that is lacking in vigor will have a long, thin, 

 flat beak and head, a thin neck, slender body, thin thighs and 

 shanks, long, thin and sometimes crooked toes, also usually a tired 

 look. 



