CHOOSING THE MALE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 163, 12 July 1935, Page 14

CHOOSING THE MALE.

It is high time, if chicks are to be bred 011 the farm next spring, that the breeding males were chosen, whether from birds on the place or from an outside source. The latecomer to a stud poultry farm lias the poorest choice, and often has to pay more, even if he can get a good rooster or two by the breeding season.

The main points to consider when choosing a utility stud male of any breed, are that he stands well (with legs apart, rather forward on his toes, chest out and tail up), that he has a good head (clean face, bold eye, short beak and upright comb), that he has a broad, flat back of good length (although the feathering makes it appear U shaped in Orpingtons), and a great deptli of body. The cheeky fighting bird, whether it is his own kind or liumans that he attacks, is generally worth a lot as the head of a pen, having stamina to spare. The bird that is shallow, narrow-chested or knock "kneed" 011 the other hand, is of no value at all. Even if his hens' eggs aro fertile neither the resulting chicks nor pullets will have the reserve of strength they need to prove profitable in their hard working world.