Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-10-15
which is the Better Breed OF Hens

\ correspondent Of the -iHiericun
EUncic7''S Gazette submits this inter
rogation, which, it must be confessed,
is like asking which is the best horse.
If YOU want a horse to run or to trot
YOU would not choose a cart horse,
and if YOU wanted a dray horse you
would not choose a fine-hred blood
The same with fowls. If you want
egg producers you want one kind;-
and if you want flesh or good hatch
ers, you want another. In regard to
common fowls, or mongreIS, this is
Just the difference between them and
purc-brcd-thc one has ne distin-
gushing properties, while the other
has. 1t is impossible to combine the
prolificacy of the egg producers to
retain it, with the feeding and hatch
ing properties Of the other. For the
food that is converted into producing
eggs will certainly not produce fat
and flesh; and, conversely, the Gle
mcnts of nutrition which go to build
up the body cannot be converted in
to Supplying eggs. The properties
and quantities Of thoroughbred fowls
have been attained by The same at.
tention to breeding that has brought
other stock to periectiom-by observ-
ing the qualities most developed in
the animal.
The following may be beneficial to
those not acquainted with the promi-
nent points Of some Of oar pure
breeds: In the egg producing class
the Leghorns stand pre-emlnentIy
above all others. This variety con
sists of the white and brown. The
browns appear to be favorites, being
hardy, easily raised; and maturing
quiclIy-the pullet8 often laying at
four months. Pullets OF this breed
often lay as high as 260 eggs during
the year; their large combs and pen
dants require a warm house during
our rigorous winters.
The next in high favor is the Black
Spanish. These, like the former, are
non-sitters and prolific, but not so
easily raised. They do not until
nearly grown get their full feathers,
being generally half naked for a CON
siderable time after Matching. These
like the Leghorn, require comfortable
winter quarters, owing to their large
combs and wattleS.
The IIoutons, Il French breed, come
next as layers and non-sitters. This
is what they call made breed be
tween the Poland and Dorking, show
ing the characteristic crest Of the
former and the fifth toe Of the latter.
Although not Us continual layers rs
the two varieties mentioned, vet they
possess points superior 10 the others,
as size, delicacy Of flesh, and hardi-
hool.
The small breeds, the different va
rictics Of IIamburgs and Polands,
have their admirers rs fancy fowls
They are excellent layers, partially
non-incubators, but are not recon,
mended, owing to their size, us likely
to improve or present sfocN 81 com
mon fowls.
The Dorkings as Il class may be
considered the standard English fowl,
and combine more general qualities
than any others--rcgular #ittcrs, large
size, plump, square built, delicate
flesh, and high Favored. They lay a
full supply Of eggs, and are probably
the best table fowl raised, They
likewise have large combs and at
ties, like the Icghorn and Spanish
They do not thrive well Oh damp
soil.
The Asiatics are The most extern
sively bred and most fashionable
class at present raised IN America,
and, OH the whole, are probably bet
ter adapted to the rigorous winters
Of the United States and Canadas
than any other, being we'll supplied
with an abundance Of feathers down
to their toes.