FOWLS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 45, 4 February 1911, Page 4 (Supplement)

FOWLS.

The principle of correct mating is the most important point in the poultry breeder’s calendar, either for utility or high-class show specimens. We are now just approaching the time when more than all others, it should be the primary consideration, as the stock bred during the present year will be shaping itself, and selections for rexf vears’ breeding pens should be made before any are disposed of, except culls, and no sort of temptation should rllow us to part with those which we consider the most suitable for next year's breeding purposes. Chance and careless mating cannot Ire too strongly condemned. There must lie “method in our madness,” as the old saying gees. Just how to select and how to mate can never be thoroughly explained on paper as there are a thousand and one different points to consider, according to circumstances and the aims of the breeder, but there are some general items applicable to al! Whatever the aims for next season may be. thev should be firmly implanted in the breeder’s mind early enough to enable him to. make such selections as are in his opinion most calculated to produce the desired result. If he be a young hand, and is fortunate enough to secure the help of an old and skilful breeder, so much the better, he will learn much therefrom if he keeps his eyes and ears open. Failing this, he must back his own opinion, watch results, and learn by experience.

ONE MOST IMPORTANT POINT, is to watch carefully fo£ perfect health in both sexes, and in every bird saved nr purchased for flu's nurnose. One diseased specimen will play havoc with ,i season’s breeding. Size is another important factor; whatever the breed or variety 1 kept, it is incumbent that the breeding birds should be of good average uniform size: not extreme’y large, as overgrown tpecimens are not the most calculated to produce the test offspring; and not small, as little, under<rrown birds produce their like, and often weakly thickens; but well-grown and well-de-veloped specimens of as nearly as possible the standard size of the breed. Over-fat birds, and especially in the females, should be avoided. Breeding birds should havo / BONE AND MUSCLE, and a fair amount of flesh of the kind which is produced by good,- sound grain food and plenty of exercise; but they should not be inwardly fat, or fed up. as though for the spit. Perfect health and vigour are indicated by the brilliant red combs and faces and the smooth, glossy plumage, but there are OTHER POINTS TO CONSIDER, sitth as well-shaped legs, and feet well and firmly set on the body, so that the latter is. carried j>rope-ly. and correct formation of body must not be overlooked. IN-BREEDING.

too, must be considered and avoided by all, except those who are thoroughly conversant with the way in which it can be done with advantage and with--out danger.. A novice or beginner should shun in-breeding as he would the plague, and wait till years of experience teach him how and when he can advisedly practice it. .: - Double matings and matings for fea-ther-colour and markings are all points that have- to be borne in mind and weighed up according to breed and circumstances,. THE MAIN AIM being as nearly an approach to standard as possible; but as absolutely perfect specimens are not usually plucked’ from every gooseberry bush, it should always be an important noint to so select the breeding stock that any unavoidable defect in one sex should be counter-balanced by perfection in that particular point in the.other. To breed from birds having a pronounced tendency to the same weakness in both sexes is to increase the said defect a hundredfold in the offspring. Whatever may be said for and against “DOUBLE-MATING,” one thing is certain—it is a practice for the expert and not the beginner. Tne latter, if he gives his mind to the careful selection and mating of his Stock birds, may very well breed a creditable flock of both sexes from a single mating, and will do well to leave the more intricate problem of doublemating alone till he has gained more experience. SHORTHORN.