104 HATCHING AND REARING 



will kill the germ. Infertility and low vitality of the germ 

 go together, are equally important, and their prevention 

 will mean better hatches and stronger chicks. 



Care of the Breeding Stock. — The breeders selected and 

 mated in the spring for the purpose of hatching eggs need 

 special care, in order to keep them in good physical condi- 

 tion. They must be guarded against disease, and their 

 vitality sustained. The aim should be to secure only a 

 fair number of fertile eggs. Heavy egg production during 

 the breeding season or just previous to it is not desirable; 

 forcing impairs the health and vigor of the breeders, and 

 results in poor eggs for hatching. Breeders should be given 

 free range; this means liberty to go out of the breeding pen 

 whenever they wish to do so. When there is snow on the 

 ground or the weather is unfavorable, they rarely take ad- 

 vantage of their freedom. Breeders need plenty of exercise, 

 especially the heavier types , which have a tendency to take 

 on too much fat. The bulk of their feed should be scattered 

 in deep, clean litter, of such a nature that it will bury the 

 grain, and compel them to scratch to get it. Green feed in 

 some form is desirable in the winter; cabbage, mangel beets, 

 and, in the absence of these, sprouted oats, are best. If the 

 poultry yards or ranges could be seeded with rye or wheat in 

 the fall, the birds would have plenty of early, succulent, green 

 feed immediately at hand. A moderate amount of protein 

 in the form of meat scrap should be given to all breeders; 

 20 per cent of meat in the dry mash ration is quite safe. 



The breeding flock should be kept in a well ventilated 

 house which is light and sunny, and has enough floor space 

 to prevent any crowding. Each breeder needs a space at 

 least five to six feet square, especially if eggs are set for 

 hatching early in the season when the birds can not get out 

 of doors. 



Collecting the Eggs. — Eggs for hatching should be col- 

 lected often; in cold winter weather, three or four times a 



