Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-10-20

some of the larger breeds are to be
selected = with one exception - this is
the Dorkings, which, not considered
among the large breeds, stand at the
head of the list of table fowls, follow
ed closely by the larger Game fowls
The Brahmas-Cochi s-Langshans-P
Rocks and Wyandottes, make rapid
growth aud are good broilers ut to
10 weeks old and later on are fine
large roaSters dressing from to 8
pounds. l purpoSely do not mention
crosses here, as no amateur should be-
gin crossing at once or he will surely
lose a greater part of the interest in
. straight bred fowls, which viii deprive
him of the most interesting study in
thoroughbreds.
Should a general purpose fowl be
wanted he viii find it in the L. Rocks
and 'WyandotteS. on following closely
the Langshans with some strains of
BrlhmaS and Cochins. The Cornish
Indians Games are also developing into
a splendid all purpose fowl. The egg
yield of these fowls fall short of the
their eggs are laid in winter months.
when they demand a good price and
fully compensate for the time that
they spend brOOding when spring and
summer comes. They develop soon in
to very marketable fowl
Should the beginner desire to breed
purely for the pleasure of doing so,
and to satisfy his fancy. there are no
particular breeds to be presented to
him. The larger and smaller breeds
have been mentioned. AS for color,
there are almost all the cOlors. tintS
and shades to be found. In the different
breeds, some breeds having as high as
six color varieties. AT present the
Bluffs seem to have the lead, and n
very pretty color it is, too; but there
are two Bluffs, which az the present
time, the amateur must steer clear of,
j. e.: Buff Leghorns and Buff Wyan-
dOtteS. These are fine specimens of
their respective varieties, but as there
are so many CullS in a brood of chicks,
the beginner is very liable to be much
discouraged with them. Solids, White
or Black, are undoubtedly the best
to start with, as fewer Culls are thrown
and come nearer meeting the expec-
tations of the amateur.
After the beginner has decided upon
the above points. he is ready to make
the start.
There are two ways of starting in
the poultry business,-with eggs or
With stock. To start with eggs is some
what cheaper than buying fowls, but
has its advantages There is sure to
be more or less disappointment when
the brood is Matched All due, how
ever to lack of information, probably,
with the beginner. There will not be
as many chicks as he thought he
should have had from the eggs; then
he probably never saw a chick of the
variety he has selected. SO as they
grow and begin to feather out, he is
more or less dissatisfied with them.
as he does not know how they should
appear, particularly with varieties with
yariegated plunage.
Many fine specimens, a little off in
plumage, will, after the first month,
correct the defect. Then, with his
limited knowledge in feeding and car
ing for the little downy creatures, he
will lose a big per cent. of the brood
before the first four weeks are passed;
then part of those which have not
died will not be properly developed
when grown. Eggs, as q start, are all
right, if the beginner has previously
seen the chicks or grown fowls of the
variety he has selected the eggs from.
If he has not, l say most emphatically
begin with matured birds.