r 43 
Sorting out the Chickens . 
t ey can e made in either the right or left wing. These marks are permanent ; but if desired 
to be more easily found, a small bit of coloured silk may be drawn through one of the holes to 
math the place. Another plan is to tie a bit of coloured worsted securely, but rather loosely, 
round the leg above the foot, or to sew a piece of coloured tape round in the same position. 
Perhaps the best method is to bend round the leg loosely a ring of tea-lead or soft tin wire. 
In small yaids the changing weather should be carefully studied. On very hot days che 
ground may be copiously watered with marked benefit, and shelter should be provided by propping 
up boards or hurdles about a foot from the ground, under which they can resort to avoid the sun. 
In very wet weather, should cramp appear to threaten, a few days’ removal indoors to a boarded 
floor well sanded will do wonders ; and while no floor is worse than wood for a continuance, no 
harm in such a case will result. 
As soon after they are ten weeks old as possible, the cockerels and pullets of large breeds 
at least ought to be separated. With small fowls it is not important so far as size is concerned, 
and three or four weeks longer need give no trouble or uneasiness even with Asiatics ; but after 
that the cockerels will begin to be turbulent unless separated, and this latter reason applies to 
small breeds as well. It is not so necessary where very wide range is at command, as the birds 
are not then brought so much in contact, but even then is highly advisable. At first the cockerels 
may run all together, but sooner or later, and especially after absence at a show, some at least 
must have separate accommodation. A grown bird will keep healthy in a quite small house and 
run, and such are made by several manufacturers of convenient size for this special purpose. 
The sexes of most breeds can be distinguished at a very early age. In some, especially 
Asiatics, the cocks may be known by the first wings being narrow and pointed, and of a more or 
less darker colour ; while the pullets’ wings are broader, rounder at the end, and either pencilled 
or of the self-colour of the breed. In most breeds we believe the pullets fledge the quickest, 
especially on the back and down the breast. In general the heads of the cockerels are also 
larger, the combs more prominent, and the carriage taller and more upright. 
The same period is convenient for “ weeding” the yard, or looking the chickens carefully over 
in order to pick out those which are only good enough for killing. Happy is the fancier who has 
but few of such ! — though with every year the proportion should decrease, and there are breeders 
who can produce chickens of which more than half are fit for exhibition. We have already spoken 
of the importance of being able to distinguish early between chickens which are likely to be first- 
class and those which are worthless ; and will only here add that after some study this can often 
be done in great measure at a very early age. By the time we are considering, the amateur who 
has had a little experience should be able to make the needful selection pretty easily, and the 
knife should be extensively used with a stern hand. Many young amateurs make a very great 
mistake here, by not killing off nearly enough of their stock. At commencing, the proportion of 
such “wasters” will almost inevitably be very large. Let us suppose that about thirty chickens can 
be reared, and that the preceding year our young fancier hatched forty and killed ten of the worst, 
finding probably that only ten out of the thirty left were up to exhibition or breeding standard. 
With the experience of that season, he will be able to do his weeding now more carefully, and may 
probably determine that he will hatch fifty and kill off twenty ; whereas it would be far better for 
him to hatch eighty or ninety, and only keep the thirty best. Later on he will not need, if he 
uses judgment, to hatch nearly so many to obtain his thirty good chickens; but many a young 
amateur would obtain a good position far earlier than he does, did he thus hatch and kill 
more liberally, so as to retain good chickens to the extent of his accommodation. Again, when 
chickens are being reared for exhibition, even supposing thirty can be kept, twenty would keep 
