THE PROBLEMS IN MATING AND IN EGG PHODUCTION 87 



When red fowls are crossed on blacks, black-breasted red 

 males are usually produced. 



White-breasted red cocks are known as "piles" and are 

 produced by crossing white with black-breasted red. If we 

 cross a White Leghorn with a Brown Leghorn the progeny 

 will be a Pile Leghorn, because the Brown Leghorn cock is 

 really a Black-breasted Red. 



THE SELECTION OF BIRDS FOR BREEDING 



Select only mature birds for breeders. Do not select birds 

 under standard weight. It is much to be desired to keep the 

 weight up to standard. 



In selecting breeders avoid crooked breasts, crooked backs, 

 wry tails. The birds must be free from disease or from any 

 indication of having been affected by disease. Strong consti- 

 tution and great vigor are essential. These points are indi- 

 cated by the bright red comb and wattles and by the full 

 prominent bright eyes and general alertness and also by its 

 lustrous plumage. Males should be decidedly masculine 

 and females should not show masculine appearance. 



Breeding stock should be selected in December, and the 

 matings should be made three weeks before it is the desire to 

 save eggs from them for sitting. 



Card says, "The type of a bird can be changed in three 

 years, but ten years are required to change feather pattern." 



Brown says, "The male primarily influences the external 

 characteristics — namely, breed, type, plumage, and action. 

 The female primarily influences size of body, color of skin, and 

 legs, constitution, temperament, and habits. 



It has been the observation of many poultrymen that there 

 IS a tendency of light dry sandy soils to bleach the legs and 

 also to have an influence on the color of the flesh. McCon- 

 nel says, "Heavy soils have a tendency to deepen the color of 

 the legs. Heavy clay lands are most suited for egg produc- 

 tion, and medium and light soils for the production of broil- 

 ers." Brown of England recommends that three fowls per 

 acre be kept on farms, using portable houses and the fowls 

 in flocks of 10 to 25. It is necessary to divide the birds into 



