154 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



Alternating Males. — Two practices resorted to for the pur- 

 pose of securing good fertility with as few males as possible 

 are the alternating of males and stud-breeding. With the 

 former, twice the number of hens that would ordinarily be 

 mated with one bird are confined in a single pen. With these 

 two males are used, but on alternate days. One is allowed 

 to run with the hens for twenty-four hours while the other 

 is confined to a coop. The following day an exchange is 

 made and the second male is given the freedom of the flock, 

 while the first one is confined. 



The theory of this practice is based on the supposition of 

 favoritism on the part of males. It is generally believed 

 that there are certain hens in most breeding flocks that are 

 slighted by the male. By alternating males it is hoped that 

 if favoritism is shown it will not be to the same hens. The 

 flock of breeders thus served could be twice as large as one 

 mated with a single male. 



This method works well in practice but is unsuited to 

 pedigreeing, because the paternal ancestry is always in 

 doubt. The question of favoritism on the part of males is 

 one upon which there is no very definite information and 

 upon which investigation is needed. 



Stud-breeding. — ^With the larger animals it is considered 

 necessary to limit the number of services of a sire very 

 strictly,for the purpose of conserving his strength and potency. 



Assuming that the same principle holds with fowls and 

 that the mating of a male with a female more than once 

 within a given period of time is a waste of his powers, certain 

 breeders have adopted the plan of controlling the number of 

 times a male and a given female mate. Such a practice has 

 been termed "stud-breeding." It is accomplished by keep- 

 ing the males and hens in separate pens. The hens are one 

 by one dropped in with the male. As soon as mating occurs, 

 they are removed to their own pen. 



Just what practical advantage there is in such a practice 

 has not been determined. It would seem to be worth while 

 only in case of extremely valuable birds. 



Double Mating. — Double mating refers to the practice of 

 using separate groups of breeders to produce exhibition birds 



