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Fowls for breeding purposes should be strong, healthy, vigorous birds. The comb, face, and wattles should be of a bright-red color, eyes bright and fairly prominent, head comparatively broad and short and not long or crow-shaped, legs set well apart and straight, plumage clean and smooth.

Females showing high and low vitality. The latter to be avoided when selecting females for breeding.

A knock-kneed fowl. The kind to be avoided as a breeder.

Defects of the kind shown here should be avoided in selecting breeders.

If possible, free range should be provided for the breeding pen.

Usually hens make better breeders than pullets. Cockerels, if well grown and matured, often give better fertility than older birds. However, cock birds that have proved good breeders should be used.

MALE HEADS SHOWING DEFECTIVE COMBS.

1. THUMB MARK	2. LOPPED (SINGLE)	3. HOLLOW CENTER
4. SIDE SPRIG	5. UNEVEN SERRATIONS.	6. TWISTED

MALES WITH DEFECTIVE TAIL CARRIAGE

1. SQUIRREL

2. WRY

When the breeding flock is confined to a yard, the size of the mating should be 1 male to 10 or 12 females. When allowed free range, the number of females can be increased to 20 or 25 with good results.

Matings should be made two weeks before the eggs are saved for hatching.

A well-ventilated cellar of uniform temperature is an excellent place to operate the incubator.

Homemade egg candler. The hole for testing eggs should be directly opposite the flame of the lamp.