Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1918 — CHARACTERISTICS OF POULTRY BREEDS [ARTICLE]

CHARACTERISTICS OF POULTRY BREEDS

Those of Laying Class Are Relatively SmaH and Energetic. Brahma Is Most Popular of Meat Birds Because It Is Largest and Most Rugged in Constitution—-Plymouth Rock Favored. (Prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture.) The laying breeds commonly grown in this country, with the exception of the Minorca, are relatively small, very energetic and lively, mature early, and are easily kept in good laying condition. The Minorca Is of larger and modified somewhat In the other particulars mentioned, -yet has more the character of the laying class than of any other. Characteristics of Meat Breeds. In the meat breeds there Is not the same uniformity of type that Is found In the laying breeds. The Brahma Is most popular because It is at the same' timo the largest and the most rugged In constitution. The Dorking excels in quality of meat but is generally considered somewhat lacking in hardiness. The Cornish Is rather hard-meated, but being very short-feathered has Its special place as a large meat-producing fowl in southerly sections where the more heavily feathered Brahma does not stand the summers well. Characteristics of General-Purpose Breeds. Among the popular breeds of the general-purpose class there are also differences in type, adapting breeds to different uses. The Plymouth Rock is generally regarded as the type meeting the widest range of requirements In the general-purpose class. , The Wyandotte Is a little smaller and earlier maturing, but still very well meated and easy to fatten. The Rhode Island Red has nearly the same standards of weight as the Wyandotte, but is a more active bird, not putting on fat so readily; consequently It approaches the laying type and Is popular with those who want eggs and meat, but want eggs most. The Orpington is at the other extreme in the general-purpose class, being a heavier, meatier fowl than the Plymouth Rock. \ Such a list of breeds affords so wide » range of choice that poultry keepers

can always select a standard breed better adapted to their locality and their purpose than any nonstandard stock they can procure, and having the further advantage of reproducing true to type.