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The Missouri Plan of Certified Breeding*
THE MISSOURI PLAN OF CERTIFIED BREEDING* BERLEY WINTON
*Rea(i at the annual meeting of the A. A. of I. and I. in P. H., Manhattan, Kansas, August, 1925. 219
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Nebraka-Lincoln Libraries on April 11, 2015
For several years the Poultry Department of the Missouri College of Agriculture has advocated the selection and mating of superior poultry as a means of improving the farm flocks. In compliance with this recommendation and in answer to the demand for a simple and constructive plan of poultry breeding the certification of poultry was started in Missouri in 1920. The objects of the certified breeding plan are to establish definite breeding standards and make high producing stock available for distribution to farm poultry keepers. In other words, it is an attempt on the part of the College of Agriculture to carry to the farmers of the state a practical and inexpensiA'e method of flock improvement. Prior to this time no definite, organized system of poultry breeding, other than the annual culling campaign had been established by the Poultry Extension Service. It might be well to state here that the plan of certified breeding is based upon the principles that the mating of selected, standard-bred, high producing female to vigorous, pedigreed males tends to increase the production and improve the quality of the offspring. It is also our belief that the external characters used in the process of culling can be depended upon in the selection of females and to a smaller extent in the selection of male birds. The original plan of certification has been closely adhered to and only a few minor changes have been necessary in putting it into operation year after year, altho the work has expanded rapidly each season. The plan provides that each flock to be eligible for certification must be successfully handled as a demonstration flock for one year in advance of being certified. The owner must keep monthly records and report regularly to the Extension Service. (During the intervening period from the time the farmer begins to keep records and the time his birds are eligible for certification, we have the opportunity to become acquainted with him and to size up his honesty. ) In addition, the birds
220
POULTRY
SCIENCE
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Nebraka-Lincoln Libraries on April 11, 2015
must be Standard-bred and show an average production of 25 eggs for the four winter months—November 1 to March 1. These rigid requirements are deemed advisable because we feel that any person who is unable or unwilling to house his chickens comfortably, feed them properly or manage them well is not competent to begin upon a systematic breeding program. Stating the problem in another way we desire to elminate as many of the limiting factors in egg production as is possible before the supervised plan of breeding is started. We furthermore believe that one of the best criteria with which to determine whether or not these conditions have been brought about on the different farms is the past performance of the birds during the four winter months as given in their monthly reports. It is true that an average production of 25 eggs for November, December, January and February seems small, and is far below what we most desire. But on the other hand, we find that from onethird to one-half of those flocks upon which monthly records are kept fail to reach this minimum standard. This condition has not only stimulated better care, but has actually developed among many farmers the practice of using pedigreed male birds in advance of the time they expect to have their hens certified. The practice of certified breeding has expanded from 2121 hens on 86 farms in 1920 to 14864 females and 2110 males on 211 farms in 1924. The number of females certified per farm has increased from 24 in 1^20 to 70 in 1924. This particular phase of our extension work has developed to such a great extent and involved so much expense and required such a large proportion of our time that a Certified Poultry Breeders' Association was sponsored. The certified breeders were quick to see the benefits and realize the advantages of such an association. Therefore, the Missouri Certified Poultry Breeders' Association was organized in 1924. The objects for which the association was formed are for the mutual help of its members, performing for them services in connection with the selection, certification and leg banding of standard-bred poultry as had been previously carried on by the Extension Service. Flock owners who have met the requirements for certified breeding are mailed a constitution of the Association early in the summer by the secretary. Attached to the constitution is a
THE MISSOURI PLAN OF CERTIFIED
BBEEDINO
221
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Nebraka-Lincoln Libraries on April 11, 2015
contract to be signed, detached and returned to the secretary in case the certified work is desired. All contracts must be accompanied by a membership fee of $2.00 and filed by August 15 in order to receive consideration. . The Certified Breeders ' Contract, among other things, proyides: First, that a special breeding flock shall be maintained during the spring months, composed of females and pedigreed males which have been selected and banded by a representative of the Association. Only high producing females that are true to type and color and free from standard disqualifications shall be banded and the breeding males shall also come up to a standard of excellence and in addition be from hens with a reliable trapnest record of 200 eggs or more in one year. Pullets and cockerels from certified flocks that are hatched bebefore May 1 are also eligible for certification. To be certified such birds must be vigorous, free from disqualifications and true to type and color. Although the certified cockerels are not eligible to head the certified breeding pens they are used widely in the improvement of uncertified flocks. In most cases such cockerels sell for about five dollars. That these cockerels give good results is evident from a report to the effect that a certain community in a neighboring state used approximately 200 of such cockerels as breeders from our certified flocks in 1924. The second provision is that no breeding males shall be kept during the hatching season except the pedigreed birds described above and no hatching eggs sold except those laid by the certified hens. Exceptions to this rule are breeders who trapnest thruout the year and are able to sell eggs from individual trapnest record hens. No eggs shall be set and no baby chicks shall be secured during the months of February, March, April or May, from any other than the special breeding flock, unless they be of a different variety or be secured from another certified or individual pedigreed flock. Third, that no cockerels shall be offered for sale as "certified" except those specially selected and banded by an authorized representative of the Association. Fourth, that birds previously certified must be examined each succeeding year in order to remain in the breeding flock.
222
POULTRY
SCIENCE
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Nebraka-Lincoln Libraries on April 11, 2015
Fifth, that complete flock records of egg production, feed used, fowl and egg income and products sold and eaten shall be kept and reported monthly to the Agricultural Extension Service. Sixth, that no stock shall be represented as " U of M Certified" unless it has been banded by a representative of the Association with numbered U. of M. certified leg or wing bands. Whenever, a band is lost or removed certification ends for the bird. Seventh, that it is agreed when the ^contract is revoked all certified bands shall be returned to the Association and the cooperator shall no longer use the term "Certified" in his advertising or printed matter, nor sell stock or eggs under representation that they are certified. In order to have funds with w^hich to operate effectively and advertise breeding stock, hatching eggs and habj chicks the Association, in addition to assessing an annual membership fee of two dollars has fixed the inspection charges as follows for 1925 : 1. The cost of inspection shall be two cents per bird handled. 2. An aditional one cent per bird handled shall be set aside and used only for advertising purposes. 3. Actual cost of the leg and wing bands shall be paid for by the certified breeder. 4. The fees and cost of bands become due on the completion of the inspection, at which time a numbered receipt for the amount will be given by the inspector. At the present time the Association is on a semi-self-supporting basis. But we expect the time to come within the near future when it will be self-supporting. In the meanwhile the two poultry extension agents have planned and arranged their extension program so that they can devote two months of their time to the interest of certified breeding. In addition to this it was necessary last fall for the Certified Association to employ for two months an inspector in order to have the certified work completed during September and October. At the present time there are four hundred flocks that are eligible for certification. This indicates that the Association will have to hire two inspectors this fall. Now, that we have given you some idea as to the plans arid the growth of certified breeding in Missouri you are naturally in-
THE MISSOURI
PLAN
OF CERTIFIED
BREEDING
223
STATUS OP CERTIFIED POULTRY BEEEDING I N MISSOURI.
Total No. F a r m s Total No. H e n s No. H e n s per F a r m Total No. Eggs No. Eggs per Hen Total Feed Cost Feed Cost per F a r m Feed Cost per Hen Investment in P o u l t r y House Total Income per F a r m Fowl Income per F a r m Egg Income per F a r m Labor Income per F a r m Labor Income per Hen
.
Certifled
NonCertified
192 34631 180 4947178 142.8 $58392.34 $304.12 $1.68 $336.78 $780.36 $223.89 $556.47 $506.74 $2.80
245 35919 161 4967202 125.6 $58476.20 $238.67 $1.48 $270.10 $637.27 $192.86 $444.41 $403.58 $2.50
Certified breeding has not only shown an increase in production and a larger income per farm, but there has also been a remarkable improvement in the color and type of the birds raised. This improvement is not limited alone to the certified flocks. It is noticeable on the farms in practically every community where certified breeding has been put into practice. The results of the Thirteenth National Egg Laying Contest at Mountain Grove further substantiate the claim that the principles used in our certified breeding plan are fundamentally correct. The fifty certified hens entered at this contest produced an average of 206 eggs. Fifty per cent of these birds averaged 241 eggs. Three of the ten highest pens in the contest were bred and owned by certified breeders. It Avould also be well to state in this connection that prior to 1925 twenty-six pens from our certified flocks were in egg laying
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Nebraka-Lincoln Libraries on April 11, 2015
terested in the concrete results which have been securd. A study has been made of a large number of certified and non-certified flocks for the years 1920 to 1924 inclusive. The number of flocks recorded under either classification was limited to those on which twelve monthly records were available. This study no doubt gives a true criterion as to the status of certified breeding in Missouri.
224
POULTRY
SCIENCE
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Nebraka-Lincoln Libraries on April 11, 2015
contests. One or more hens in each of these pens produced 200 or more eggs. In conclusion, there is another phase of this work that deserves to be mentioned. When certified breeding was started in 1920 one of the greatest handicaps to the work was the shortage of good pedigreed male birds from 200-egg hens. It was almost impossible to locate such birds. At the present time there are 66 of our certified breeders who are trapnesting their birds. Last year 41 of these farmers bred their own pedigreed cockerels that came from hens with trapnest records of 200 eggs or more. In addition, they supplied our other certified breeders with cockerels. It was necessary to import from other states only 98 pedigreed male birds. You may be interested to know that these came from 13 different states.
*Rea(i at the annual meeting of the A. A. of I. and I. in P. H., Manhattan, Kansas, August, 1925. 219
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Nebraka-Lincoln Libraries on April 11, 2015
For several years the Poultry Department of the Missouri College of Agriculture has advocated the selection and mating of superior poultry as a means of improving the farm flocks. In compliance with this recommendation and in answer to the demand for a simple and constructive plan of poultry breeding the certification of poultry was started in Missouri in 1920. The objects of the certified breeding plan are to establish definite breeding standards and make high producing stock available for distribution to farm poultry keepers. In other words, it is an attempt on the part of the College of Agriculture to carry to the farmers of the state a practical and inexpensiA'e method of flock improvement. Prior to this time no definite, organized system of poultry breeding, other than the annual culling campaign had been established by the Poultry Extension Service. It might be well to state here that the plan of certified breeding is based upon the principles that the mating of selected, standard-bred, high producing female to vigorous, pedigreed males tends to increase the production and improve the quality of the offspring. It is also our belief that the external characters used in the process of culling can be depended upon in the selection of females and to a smaller extent in the selection of male birds. The original plan of certification has been closely adhered to and only a few minor changes have been necessary in putting it into operation year after year, altho the work has expanded rapidly each season. The plan provides that each flock to be eligible for certification must be successfully handled as a demonstration flock for one year in advance of being certified. The owner must keep monthly records and report regularly to the Extension Service. (During the intervening period from the time the farmer begins to keep records and the time his birds are eligible for certification, we have the opportunity to become acquainted with him and to size up his honesty. ) In addition, the birds
220
POULTRY
SCIENCE
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Nebraka-Lincoln Libraries on April 11, 2015
must be Standard-bred and show an average production of 25 eggs for the four winter months—November 1 to March 1. These rigid requirements are deemed advisable because we feel that any person who is unable or unwilling to house his chickens comfortably, feed them properly or manage them well is not competent to begin upon a systematic breeding program. Stating the problem in another way we desire to elminate as many of the limiting factors in egg production as is possible before the supervised plan of breeding is started. We furthermore believe that one of the best criteria with which to determine whether or not these conditions have been brought about on the different farms is the past performance of the birds during the four winter months as given in their monthly reports. It is true that an average production of 25 eggs for November, December, January and February seems small, and is far below what we most desire. But on the other hand, we find that from onethird to one-half of those flocks upon which monthly records are kept fail to reach this minimum standard. This condition has not only stimulated better care, but has actually developed among many farmers the practice of using pedigreed male birds in advance of the time they expect to have their hens certified. The practice of certified breeding has expanded from 2121 hens on 86 farms in 1920 to 14864 females and 2110 males on 211 farms in 1924. The number of females certified per farm has increased from 24 in 1^20 to 70 in 1924. This particular phase of our extension work has developed to such a great extent and involved so much expense and required such a large proportion of our time that a Certified Poultry Breeders' Association was sponsored. The certified breeders were quick to see the benefits and realize the advantages of such an association. Therefore, the Missouri Certified Poultry Breeders' Association was organized in 1924. The objects for which the association was formed are for the mutual help of its members, performing for them services in connection with the selection, certification and leg banding of standard-bred poultry as had been previously carried on by the Extension Service. Flock owners who have met the requirements for certified breeding are mailed a constitution of the Association early in the summer by the secretary. Attached to the constitution is a
THE MISSOURI PLAN OF CERTIFIED
BBEEDINO
221
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Nebraka-Lincoln Libraries on April 11, 2015
contract to be signed, detached and returned to the secretary in case the certified work is desired. All contracts must be accompanied by a membership fee of $2.00 and filed by August 15 in order to receive consideration. . The Certified Breeders ' Contract, among other things, proyides: First, that a special breeding flock shall be maintained during the spring months, composed of females and pedigreed males which have been selected and banded by a representative of the Association. Only high producing females that are true to type and color and free from standard disqualifications shall be banded and the breeding males shall also come up to a standard of excellence and in addition be from hens with a reliable trapnest record of 200 eggs or more in one year. Pullets and cockerels from certified flocks that are hatched bebefore May 1 are also eligible for certification. To be certified such birds must be vigorous, free from disqualifications and true to type and color. Although the certified cockerels are not eligible to head the certified breeding pens they are used widely in the improvement of uncertified flocks. In most cases such cockerels sell for about five dollars. That these cockerels give good results is evident from a report to the effect that a certain community in a neighboring state used approximately 200 of such cockerels as breeders from our certified flocks in 1924. The second provision is that no breeding males shall be kept during the hatching season except the pedigreed birds described above and no hatching eggs sold except those laid by the certified hens. Exceptions to this rule are breeders who trapnest thruout the year and are able to sell eggs from individual trapnest record hens. No eggs shall be set and no baby chicks shall be secured during the months of February, March, April or May, from any other than the special breeding flock, unless they be of a different variety or be secured from another certified or individual pedigreed flock. Third, that no cockerels shall be offered for sale as "certified" except those specially selected and banded by an authorized representative of the Association. Fourth, that birds previously certified must be examined each succeeding year in order to remain in the breeding flock.
222
POULTRY
SCIENCE
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Nebraka-Lincoln Libraries on April 11, 2015
Fifth, that complete flock records of egg production, feed used, fowl and egg income and products sold and eaten shall be kept and reported monthly to the Agricultural Extension Service. Sixth, that no stock shall be represented as " U of M Certified" unless it has been banded by a representative of the Association with numbered U. of M. certified leg or wing bands. Whenever, a band is lost or removed certification ends for the bird. Seventh, that it is agreed when the ^contract is revoked all certified bands shall be returned to the Association and the cooperator shall no longer use the term "Certified" in his advertising or printed matter, nor sell stock or eggs under representation that they are certified. In order to have funds with w^hich to operate effectively and advertise breeding stock, hatching eggs and habj chicks the Association, in addition to assessing an annual membership fee of two dollars has fixed the inspection charges as follows for 1925 : 1. The cost of inspection shall be two cents per bird handled. 2. An aditional one cent per bird handled shall be set aside and used only for advertising purposes. 3. Actual cost of the leg and wing bands shall be paid for by the certified breeder. 4. The fees and cost of bands become due on the completion of the inspection, at which time a numbered receipt for the amount will be given by the inspector. At the present time the Association is on a semi-self-supporting basis. But we expect the time to come within the near future when it will be self-supporting. In the meanwhile the two poultry extension agents have planned and arranged their extension program so that they can devote two months of their time to the interest of certified breeding. In addition to this it was necessary last fall for the Certified Association to employ for two months an inspector in order to have the certified work completed during September and October. At the present time there are four hundred flocks that are eligible for certification. This indicates that the Association will have to hire two inspectors this fall. Now, that we have given you some idea as to the plans arid the growth of certified breeding in Missouri you are naturally in-
THE MISSOURI
PLAN
OF CERTIFIED
BREEDING
223
STATUS OP CERTIFIED POULTRY BEEEDING I N MISSOURI.
Total No. F a r m s Total No. H e n s No. H e n s per F a r m Total No. Eggs No. Eggs per Hen Total Feed Cost Feed Cost per F a r m Feed Cost per Hen Investment in P o u l t r y House Total Income per F a r m Fowl Income per F a r m Egg Income per F a r m Labor Income per F a r m Labor Income per Hen
.
Certifled
NonCertified
192 34631 180 4947178 142.8 $58392.34 $304.12 $1.68 $336.78 $780.36 $223.89 $556.47 $506.74 $2.80
245 35919 161 4967202 125.6 $58476.20 $238.67 $1.48 $270.10 $637.27 $192.86 $444.41 $403.58 $2.50
Certified breeding has not only shown an increase in production and a larger income per farm, but there has also been a remarkable improvement in the color and type of the birds raised. This improvement is not limited alone to the certified flocks. It is noticeable on the farms in practically every community where certified breeding has been put into practice. The results of the Thirteenth National Egg Laying Contest at Mountain Grove further substantiate the claim that the principles used in our certified breeding plan are fundamentally correct. The fifty certified hens entered at this contest produced an average of 206 eggs. Fifty per cent of these birds averaged 241 eggs. Three of the ten highest pens in the contest were bred and owned by certified breeders. It Avould also be well to state in this connection that prior to 1925 twenty-six pens from our certified flocks were in egg laying
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Nebraka-Lincoln Libraries on April 11, 2015
terested in the concrete results which have been securd. A study has been made of a large number of certified and non-certified flocks for the years 1920 to 1924 inclusive. The number of flocks recorded under either classification was limited to those on which twelve monthly records were available. This study no doubt gives a true criterion as to the status of certified breeding in Missouri.
224
POULTRY
SCIENCE
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Nebraka-Lincoln Libraries on April 11, 2015
contests. One or more hens in each of these pens produced 200 or more eggs. In conclusion, there is another phase of this work that deserves to be mentioned. When certified breeding was started in 1920 one of the greatest handicaps to the work was the shortage of good pedigreed male birds from 200-egg hens. It was almost impossible to locate such birds. At the present time there are 66 of our certified breeders who are trapnesting their birds. Last year 41 of these farmers bred their own pedigreed cockerels that came from hens with trapnest records of 200 eggs or more. In addition, they supplied our other certified breeders with cockerels. It was necessary to import from other states only 98 pedigreed male birds. You may be interested to know that these came from 13 different states.