Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-11-07
BREEDS OF FOWLS.
YELLOW LEGS aNp SKINS rREfERRED.
HARDNESS AN IMPORTANT coNsiD-
ERAIION.

In many markets In this country
dressed fowls having yellow legs and
skin are preferred to those having black.
blue or white legs aud white flesh, even
though the latter are more plump, ten
der and Juicy. Samuel Cushman, In the
Rhode Island experiment station report,
SAYS that In England aud France yellow
skin and legs are looked upon with dis
favor, as Indicating coarseness, lack
of flavor aud Of the finest qualities. VI
late years In New York aud Philadelphia
markets there Il no distinction made In
this respect where the poultry Is OF high
quality. In the east, as a rule, the ordi-
nary market stock sells best II yellow.
As long as this prejudice exists the
average raiser will find II best to COM
ply with the demand and be particular
TO furnish yellow poultry, but the pro-
ducer of the highest quality Of dressed
noultry, or one who sells direct 20
customers, need not on account OF THIS
he restrained from using some OF the
finest material for market purposes.
Hardness Il, without doubt, OF the
first importance In poultry raised Tor the
table, that there may be but slight loss.
Quick growth and early maturity, good
feeding qualities and disposition to
readily take on fat, or the ability TO re-
turn the largest profit for food con-
sumed, are also indispensable to profita.
BILE production, while a good quality OF
firsh that Il tender aud juicy With the
largest amount on breast, back aud
wings, as well as fine bones and least
amount Of ofial. gives the finest carcass.
Excessive length Of leg or neck, promi-
nent joints, angular projections OF the
frame, as well as n large amount OF oiial,
are undesirable. A nervous disposition
L. also not desirable. Breeds with small
combs usually make the best table fowl
and are more readily fattened.
There are no breeds more hardy than
Cochlns and Brahmas. Cochin chickens
can be raised when all other breeds
would perish. None are so free from
colds or Group, or better able to thrive
under close confinement, or In cold
weather. They are also great feeders
and fatten readily. Their defects are
thin breasts, large legs, coarse bones
and angular frames.
For quick growers, Houdans, Creve-
eeurs, Wyandottes and Plymouth Rocks,
are good material and the two Latter are
fairly hardy, and are OF broad aud
blocky build. Plymouth Rocks have
rather coarse flesh and also dark pin
feathers, II dressed when young.
For heavy ficsh development the Dork-
ing, with It's " wide build aud rectangular
form or outline, is noted, as well as the
solid ieshed Games and especially the
extraordinarily developed Indian Game
Houdans are also very plump having
onslderable flesh on the back as well n
on the breast and small bones. Games
are, however, slower growers, and none
of these birds are as hardy ss could be
desired, the Dorking especially being
very tender and very hard to rear
Indian Games have long necks and legs,
are too closely and thlnly feathered to
Withstand cold, and are liable to disease
II seems that the most desirable f1esh
development aud greatest hardness srs
not found combined In Que breed.-New
England Farmer.