Poultry Notes

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 92, 19 April 1930, Page 8 (Supplement)

Poultry Notes

WHAT TO LOOK FOB IN A BREEDING MALE

It is now an accepted fact that even when breeding for commercial egg purposes the male fowl is the most important member of the pen. If tho mate is deficient in any special characteristic, then there is no hope of good progeny, the whole stock being deteriorated. One poor female has not the same effect on the results, but a faulty male will spoil years of constructive work. The majority of beginners grudge paying a big price for a cockerel; yet that is where the money should be. sunk. A high-class pedigreed male will raise the standard of even a mediocre flock of hens, and he will go a long way to maintain high fecundity in a high-class flock of hens. The same is found in all classes of stock, hence the enormous prices paid for stallions, bulls, rams, etc. Every poultry breeder should endeavour to keep the very best males. The cockerel’s pedigree must be closely scrutinised. His dam’s pedigree must be of the best, both for number of eggs and size of egg. The latter point is becoming of more importance every year; there is a grave danger in tho quest for number of eggs that the size may deteriorate. Second-grade eggs are a menace to the success of every yard. Such birds cost money to produce, owing to the trouble entailed trap nestgeneration after generation, and they arc certainly worth money’ Not only must the pedigree be correct, but health must also be considered. Stamina and vigour are necessary if fertile eggs are to be obtained. Vigour and vitality should be evident at all times; hence a keen, fighting cock is Lee best fitted to serve as the head of a breeding pen Nature intended that one male should be mated to several females, yet males and femaloa are produced in almost equal numbers. The law of Nature in every branch of life is the survival of the fittest, hence the fighting instinct is impiarted in all male fowls, which means that the Lest fighter will ultimately become the head of the pen. In the wild state these males fight it out to the death, and the weaklings arc drastically weeded out. Stimulation of the Glands This fighting instinct also stimulates certain glands and their excretions. The thyroid glands must be well developed in the male. These glands control the speed of living, and decide whether the bird is active or sluggish. The stronger the thyroid gland is the more energetic will be the bird. Excitement, such as by fighting, causes the glands to function, which, of course, ensures fertility. It Is a good plan to have tbe pens arranged so that the males may sec one another although they cannot actually come into contact. The close proximity incites the two males to fight, which, of course, keeps them fit. The male bird during the breeding snason must be sjeci: Jiy fed and kept fit, aud be mu.>L tav< a big store of energy. This is best done by giving him an occasional feed of meat by artificial light after the hens have gono to roost. So keen is the protective instinct in the male that he will often deny himself sufficient food by standing on guard whilst the hens cat up the best of the food.

It is row the usual thing to run twd or three cr even more males with on© flock. These will fight for a day or so until one becomes the master, and then, all will go smoothly. The best fighter is always the best breeder, and it will be found that the hens also appreciate his great gallantry. Close observation A must be kept on all males, and as soon as one is observed to become lazy or off colour in any way he must be removed at once, or the fertility of tho eggs -nay be materially affected. A week’s rest with special feeding will usually restore him to his normal health, and he will return to his work with renewed vigour. It will be found that the best males arc the lusty cio w c r s.