406 POULTRY CULTURE 



qualities, all of which must be determined by the careful 

 selection of the breeding stock. 



As a rule, all other factors being equal, the heavier the egg 

 the more vigorous the chick. A small egg may produce a 

 small runt. Mature stock should be selected for breeders. 

 It is not good policy to select inmiature cockerels, much less 

 immature pullets. Pullet eggs are small, and the same some- 

 times holds good of hens that are old and going through the 

 molt. Eggs at such times and under such conditions should 

 not be used for hatching purposes. As a rule, eggs laid in 

 February and March average heavier than at any other time 

 of the year. There are many reasons why the hatch should 

 be early. It means early maturing progeny, which means 

 early fall layers and ready for breeding the coming season. It 

 means that the broilers can be marketed earlier and bring a 

 higher price than those marketed later in the season. 



Some of the reasons why chicks die in the shell are that the 

 eggs are from birds of low vitality, old, decrepit, and impotent. 

 The birds must not be allowed to become too fat by lack of 

 exercise. Immature birds must not be selected for breeding, 

 and too many females must not be placed with each male bird. 

 The proper feed must be supphed and the birds must be kept 

 in sanitary quarters, with the house properly ventilated. The 

 birds must be kept free from vermin (Hce and mites), as vermin 

 saps the birds of their vitahty. Eggs must not be kept too 

 long before incubation or at a temperature too high. Proper 

 methods of incubation must be used. In the Jieavy breeds 

 ten or twelve females may be kept with one male, and in the 

 lighter breeds twelve or fifteen, provided the males are young 

 and vigorous. Less number should be kept with older males. 

 Eggs should be kept cool and should be turned daily, and not 

 be more than two, and at the outside not more than three, 

 weeks old when set. Hens should be fed sufficient feed, and 

 the ration should be properly balanced. The breeders must 

 be in good, vigorous condition in order that the progeny be 

 strong and vigorous. A hen, that has been laying for a long 

 time is somewhat reduced in vigor. Reproduction is one of 

 the most exhaustive processes of natui'e. Anything that 

 reduces the vigor of the mother reduces the vigor of the off- 



