The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-10-03
In Praise Of Light Brahmas.

yersal consent the light Brahma combines
the largest number of good qualities. A
dozen poultry fanciers may disagree
about the merits of the breed Of fowls
they severally prefer, but they will all
unite on tho light Brahma as their second
choice. eff fine feathers" alone made
s.fine BIRDS" there would be no other
fowls in the poultry yard than the Dom
Unique and the silver-spangled Hamburg.
II one desires ga cock that crows in the
morn" and hen that will do large
amount of work in the vegetable and
flower garden, he can not do better than
keep the ordinary barnyard fowls. Ii
person keeps poultry for the purpose OF
Witnessing "ively chicken contests, ne
will find the game fowls exactly suited
to crafty his desires. The Java fowl Is
more elegant than the light Brahma, the
black Spanish supports more lofty |
comb, the Leghorn produces more eggs,
the buff Cochin will attain larger size,
the Dorkin will endure more severe
weather without injury, and the Houdan
will afford more delicate flesh. There
are also breeds that mature earlier, that
are more persistent sitters, or that re-
uuire an incubator on hen OF another
breed to hatch their eggs. In short, that
is O breed of fowls that excels all others
in some desirable characteristic.
For O general purpose fowl, how
ever, there is none that compares with
the light Brahma It has comely form
and good size. It has fine plumage, that
is not liable to injury unless the bird is
| confined in close, dirty quarters. When
allowed the run of an open yard or a
small, clean lot, the feathers are not LA
BILE to become discolored. The white
feathers that cover the body of the bird
are relieved by the dark ones about the
neck and on the wings and tail. The
| plumage of the light Brahma is not liable
| to injury IN the coops in which they are
sent to market. It is generally remarked
that chickens of this breed arrive at dis
tant market in q more presentable copd1-
ton than those of other varities, and on
this account, if no other, they ordinarily
obtain ready sale. They have no droop-
ing tail feathers to be broken, no large
wattles and combs to be injured during
transportation.
The eggs of the Brahma are of large
size and well shaped A dozen of them
will weigh more than an equal number
of those produced by hens of almost any
other breed. As winter layers they have
an established reputation. AS eggs laid
in winter are worth from two to five
times as much as those dropped during
the spring or summer, the value OF the
, eggs produced by a Brahma hen is gen.
; orally greater than of those laid by fowls
that are regarded as better egg pro-
, ducers. The hens are faithful, but not
persistent, settlers. They will rarely
| abandon nest of eggs on which they
have commenced to set. 1t is compare
lively easy, however, to break up their
desire for setting, when they will return
to laying. AS the Brahma hen is heavy,
she is likely to break the eggs of those
breeds which produce thin shells, but
,, the eggs of her own production are OF
sufficient strength to sustain her weight
, on the nest.
As mothers, the Brahmas are kind
, affectionate, faithful. watchful and provi
6 dent. Being peaceable and quiet in
: their dispositions, they never engage in
auarrels with other fond mothers who
are rearing families in the same neigh
: borhood. Their example in this respec
!, !. might be followed to good advantage by
other birds, as we'll as by human moth
ers. As Brahmas seldom wander fal
from the place set apart for their occu
= pancy, their chicks are not liable to bt
= carried off by hawks or devoured by
e | SIudll du1ulttlS fAo ouO OOoS SAi>
: Brahma is heavy and ;t.s wings compare
. lively small, it is not inclined to attemp
!. to fly long distances. 1t is easily fenced
:. in or fenced out of yard. 1t uses it,
feet for the purpose of walking upon TIN
ground. and not for that of scratching
in pieces It has respect for flower beds
il in which matter it shows its superlor1t.
over many men. It endures confinemen
: submissively, but rejoices in the free
dom of the open field.
:, In short, the light Brahma is comely
= useful, respectable and well-behavet
bird in all the walks of life. Its virtue
9 are many, its faults are few. Apparently
g it does not know the meaning OF vice Il
= any of it's various forms. During some
what protracted stay in this country
has endeared itself to thousands in ever,
State in the Union. It has made man.
!. friends and few enemies. It is favorit.
. with persons of all ages and Of bot
} sexes. It has gained its excellent an,
. widespread reputation through meri
: alone. It never sounds it's own prais
L with a loud voice. The male seldom
2 crows, and when he does it is not in tn
= tone or manner of the braggart. Th
. . cackle of the female is only loud enougl
to inform her owner that a visit to he
= nest will not be unrewarded. Amon
the gayer and more bo1sterous BIRDS Q
the poultry yard she walks quiet, mod
: est Quaker, conscious that her life
well spent and that the world is bette
for her presence in it.
But the benefits conferred by the hgh
Brahma fowl do not terminate wit
J death. It's body is left as q rich legac
:, for the living. On the table, at tn
e market or the mansion, dressed or un
= = dressed, raw or cooked, plain or garnish
e ed, it presents tempting appearance
= and this appearance is by no means dc
q ceptive. The flesh is tender, white an
;. of delicate favor. The fowl when to-
It erably well matured is very plump, tn
: flesh we'll supplied with fat, the Who'll
IS covered with skin of rich and mos
e agreeable color A few very peculia
IF people who delight in the rapid develop
If ment peculiar to Young America, VIII
s. admire boys who carry revolver at ter
d and girls who wear long dresses at twelve
Is condemn the light Brahma because
70 has not full coat of feathers when
e has been out of the shell but eightweeks
a and because it is not in prime conditio
= for the gridiron when the first strawbe1
s ries appear. These persons, however
= are chronic grumblers whose complaint