Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Hold each chick facing the same direction while you apply the toe punch. Carefully cen-
ter the punch over the web between toes, and then firmly press to make a clean hole.
Pedigree Record Keeping
Using pairings as small as these, you can quickly make selections and establish
pedi-
gree,
meticulously documented parentage of the offspring for the birds in your flock. To
do this accurately, you must wing-band the hatchlings, identifying them as offspring of
particular pairings. This requires a great deal of record keeping but is valuable for es-
tablishing a sound breed improvement system. You'll soon find that this system is for
detail-oriented people, but it can be simplified with the use of record-keeping tools.
Methods for Keeping Track of Parentage
Large matings of 8 to 10 hens per male are possible and you are still able to document
the parentage, but you'll need more time to become familiar with each hen and the look
of their eggs. Most hens will lay the same type each time they lay. You'll need a system
for marking each egg and separating them in the incubator each time one is laid. This
requires divisions of some sort in the hatching tray.
Small wire or hardware cloth baskets
can be made for placement in hatching trays.
These will help you separate the eggs and make it possible to keep an accurate docu-
mentation of the parentage of each chick. Use these baskets together with the marking
system described opposite for best results. Separation of eggs, and eventually chicks, is
vital when you are attempting to maintain the specific traits of a particular breed.
Once the chicks are hatched, develop a method for keeping track of the parentage us-
ing either toe punching or wing bands.
A
chick toe punch
is a tool like a hole punch that provides a quick and easy way to
maintain records. If you have several projects planned or ongoing, a system of punching
the web between the chicks' toes is efficient. Once you learn to avoid the blood ves-
