152 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



It would seem that at present the experiment stations of 

 the several states furnish the logical place for such tests 

 to be made. 



MANAGEMENT OF BREEDERS. 



The aim in the management of breeding stock is to secure 

 a maximum of thrifty chicks. It involves the feeding, housing, 

 incubating, and rearing of the stock intended for breeding 

 purposes as well as the questions of exercise, the number of 

 hens to be mated with one male, care of the breeding male, 

 alternating males, stud-breeding, and the use of breeding 

 hens for egg production. The more general questions of 

 feeding, housing, incubating, and brooding are applicable to 

 laying stock as well, and are treated in chapters bearing these 

 headings respectively. These other questions concerning 

 breeders specifically are important and should be given due 

 consideration. 



Exercise. — The relation between the activity of a bird and 

 his or her breeding power is very marked. This is witnessed 

 by the fact that in the breeds that are naturally very active, 

 more females may be mated with a single male with good 

 results than in the less active breeds. Those breeds that 

 are not naturally rustlers must be encouraged to exercise 

 freely. The free range offers the ideal opportunity, which 

 vigorous birds of any but the heaviest and most phlegmatic 

 breeds will not be slow to take advantage of. If free range 

 is not available for any reason the birds must be compelled 

 to exercise freely the year round by scratching for grain in 

 a deep straw litter. In extremely hot weather judgment 

 must, of course, be used, and the enforced activity confined 

 to early morning and the cool of the evening. 



Number of Hens to be Mated with One Male. — Just what the 

 maximum number of hens is that is proper to mate with 

 any particular male is a matter of judgment that must be 

 left to the individual breeder. It depends upon the present 

 condition and previous treatment of the male himself and 

 of the hens to be mated with him, and upon the conditions 

 under which they are mated as well as upon breed and family 

 characteristics. 



