THE PROBLEMS IN MATING AND IN EGG PRODUCTION 89 



In selecting for breeding, for instance, in whites or blacks, 

 it is well, to breed from birds who are known not to show off 

 colors, but that breed true to color. It is well to keep in 

 mind in purchasing birds for standard breeding to secure them 

 from reliable breeders who will furnish birds from the proper 

 ancestry or blood lines. This is desirable to the utmost ex- 

 treme in those whose color factors have not been firmly estab- 

 lished, as in buffs and some others where there seems to be 

 a fight for an equilibrium between black and white. Thus it 

 may be said, in general, using the buff again as an illustration, 

 a too light undercolor is likely to throw white in the progeny 

 unless the bird be of sound ancestry, and too dark in under- 

 color in birds of dark shade have a tendency to throw black 

 in wings and tails of the progeny. 



' It is not advisable to select pullets that show white in the 

 undercolor of the neck, or a cockerel that shows red on his 

 wing-bows. 



It is to the best interest of the breeder to select those birds 

 that feather fastest and develop quickest and reach the full 

 standard weight. 



Brahmas. — In the selection of Brahmas do not select a 

 short-limbed male as a breeder. The males contribute as 

 much to the size of the progeny as do the females. The male 

 must be bright, active, and vigorous. 



The male must be strong, ready to banter, and to crow. 



Do not select a male that is always looking for a place to 

 sit down. He will be a disappointment. The male should be 

 strong in color. 



In the Brahma the chicks are apt to run a shade or two 

 lighter than the male. 



A bird strong in color has the best chance in the show room. 



The male Brahma must be reasonably tall, large, long 

 bodied, legs and toes well feathered, and strong in color. 



In selecting the female Brahma it will be well to keep in 

 mind that small hens mean small progeny. The hens should 

 have good length of body. The hens must be active, alert, 

 on the go, and with fairly long legs. The best female breeders 

 are those that have gone through one adult molt and who have 

 retained their color. 



