BREEDING AND MATING 



89 



considered, and the most important is vigor. Vigor is a 

 strong, inherited constitution (Fig. 57) . Vigor means freedom 

 from disease and good health. It also means the ability to 

 transform feed material into eggs. Vigor in poultry is mani- 

 fested by a good sized body, by an erect carriage, with a 

 rather high tail, and by a bright, prominent eye. A short, 

 thick beak and a deep head are also common signs of high 

 vitality. Want of vitality is most often indicated by a low, 

 drooping carriage, a drooping tail, narrow body, long beak 



Fig. 57. — Barred Plymouth Rock chicks, showing different degrees of vigor. 

 The one marked "A" ia of normal size, the other two should be disposed of for 

 meat at an early age. 



and head, and a depressed eye. It may be due to heredity, 

 to improper feeding, or to faulty housing. Whatever the 

 cause, birds showing lack of vitality should never be used 

 for breeding. 



Size must be considered in mating for egg production. 

 The large hen usually lays a large egg, which in turn will 

 hatch a large chick. Observation proves that the small egg 

 hatches the small chick, which at maturity is the small 

 adult. If we wish large eggs for market, we must use a good 

 sized bird from which to hatch the pullets for laying. 



In choosing fowls for special matings, try to breed only 

 from birds capable of large returns (Fig. 58). Egg production 

 in a female is inherited from the father; hence if we wish to 



