Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-08
AGRICULTURAL.
Egg Laying Breeds of Poultry.

AGRICULTURAL.
Egg Laying Breeds Of Poultry.
There has been wonderful improve
mcnt made i'll the last few years in thor
oughbred poultry, bred for special pur-
poses. 1t is impossible to combine oil
the cxcellences in one breed. 1t is possi-
BILE to combine them in moderate de-
gree, so Us to get good layers and fair
average weight of body. The Plymouth
Rocks are an illustration of the best that
can be accomplished in this way. Those
who breed for heavy weights must not
expect to secure great laying qualities in
the same breed, auy more than they can
expect speed from heavy draft animal.
Poultry men, who are near large city
markets, and take advantage Of high
prices for fresh eggs, must be satisfied
with .medium-sizcd fowls. All the best
laying breeds are below the average
weight. The Asiatics (Brahmas and Co.
chins) lay very large eggs, but not so
many dozens during the year. We do not
condemn any breed, but in the selection
Of poultry, as in that of other live stock,
it desirable to choose animals bred for
the especial purpose needed. During
many years experience with poultry of all
kinds, we have found the white Leghorns
to stand ut the head of the list of layers,
and not only do they produce an immense
number of eggs each year, when well fed,
housed properly, and cared for as all fine
stock should be, but they are hardy, and
produce lively and vigorous chicks. As
these chicks feather up so quickly, and,
when hatched early, lay the same fall they
are hatched, they are doubly worth
breeding. Their clear, white bodies, and
large. bright combs, make them very at
tractive. The young birds, and especial
ly the pullets, make fine eating, when
four to five months old, but we prefer
the coekerels to be about q year old and
well fattened before being used for the
table. We still favor the single comb
Leghorn, despite the fact that the new
fashioned rose comb Leghorns claim
much attention Just now. There are
many breeders, for eggs especially, who
have n decided preference-perhaps on
account of the more varied and hand
somer plumage, for the brown Leghorns.
They are rather more difficult to breed to
feather than the white. When bred we'll
up to the "standard," they are very hand
some, and It is not difficult to realize fair
prices for them when sold as breeding
stock. There is very little difference in
| the laying or table qualities of the two
breeds, some even claiming the brown
being superior to the white Leghorns in
these qualities.
Houdans are excellent layers and fine
table fowls. Where foxes, hawks, etc,
abound, and are troublesome, the crest
J,J b,,,1e ,,1,aoI ~ 4
many OF them fall an easy prey to the
thieves. This can, however, be rene.
died by having pair of guineas running
with the other poultry. They defect the
first approach of danger, and give sucl
shrill quick-repeatod and incessant
screechcs as to both frighten away the
marauders and give the farmer or poul
try-breeder timely notice of the disturb
ance. The White Crested Black Polisl
are very highly commended for their lay
ing qualities, hardness and vigor, though
they have the same objections, and il
perhaps n greater degree than are urget
against the Houdans. They are hand
some, and easy to rear, and, by care il
the selection OF stock, it is not difficult tt
breed extra fine specimens. They ar'
good winter layers, but must have warn
quarters. There is no danger from frozel
combs, as they have scarcely any combs
and their heavy crests afford ample pro
lection. These crests also prevent then
from flying over fences of ordinary height
The Hamburgs are very handsome birds
especially the silver-penciled variety, ant
are highly esteemed as layers. They ar,
small bodied, and do not furnish mucl
meat. They are verv energetic, and al
ways on the 'go," hunting up stray Bit
of provender. They can readily fly oyel
an ordinary fence, and to contine them
the yards must be covered with netting
or else the wings of the birds need to b,
clipped close. They are 'classed among
the non settlers, are comparatively lhardy
and especially so when they hQve theil
free liberty. The Plymouth Rocks ART
more general purpose fowl than lay
ing breed, though we have always fount
them good layers and the eggs of fine
size. For the ordinary purposes of th,
farm we do not know any breed whicl
will give more general satisfaction than
flock OF well-bred aud pure Plymouth
Rocks, and especially 50 the improve,
style. They are hardly, mature early
feather up quickly and make very goo'
weights when under proper care.
Feeding Sour Food TO Pigs.