The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-09-17

most common of these, are large, the
male weighing eleven to twelve pounds
and the hen eight and half to nine
and half. This large size is one of
the chief points in favor Of the Brah-
mas. They are slow maturing and 1t
takes considerable feeding to get their
large frames thickly enough covered
with meat to be in good market condi-
ton. Like all feathered legged breeds,
the Brahma is clumsy and for this
reason does not make first class
mother. The pullets are too slow in
maturing to lay many eggs the first
winter. Even when matured they are
not heavy layers, though they do most
Of their laying in the winter, when eggs
are high. This is largely because their
large size and heavy feathering make
them less susceptible to cold. As meat
producers the Brahmas are about
equal to the general purpose breeds,
though for high class capons they are
perhaps a little superior There are
two varieties of Brahmas, light and
dark. The light Brahmas are tho more
popular. The black variety is more
difficult to breed for color, and much
attention to fancy points has caused
utility to be largely lost sight of.
Cochins are the second of the meat
breeds in size, the males weighing
eleven pounds and the hens eight and
half. They are of the same massive.
full feathered type as the Brahmas,
averaging a triie shorter legged ami
wider across the back. Like the Brah-
mas, they are hardy. They are not as
good layers, however. and are just as
slow in maturing. There are four va
rieties, of which the buff is the most
common.
Both these breeds have served q good
purpose in grading up the mongrel
strains of the country and providing
foundation stock for the American
breeds. At present, however, they
have few points of superiority over the
American breeds as meat producers
and are inferior to them in laying abil-
ity. AS show fowls they are priced
because of their size and beauty.
The smallest and quickest maturing
of the Asiatic breeds is the Langshan.
They are Objectionable because Of
their black color, white skin and feath-
cred legs and do not excel the Amer
ican breeds in any practical qualities.
An English breed, the Dorkings, are
good meat producers. but poor layers.
For the man who is in the poultry
business from q utility standpoint one
of the general purpose or laying breeds
will be more satisfactory than any Of
the meat breeds.
The Laying Breeds.
The laying breeds originally came
from the region around the Mediter
ranean sea, and hence are often re-
ferred TO as the Mediterranean breeds
The most popular of these is the Leg
horn. Leghorns are small birds, not
more than half the size of the Asiatics.
They are very active and good for
ayers. They outrank any of the other
breeds In laying qualities. laying both
summer and winter II properly cared
for. They are not adapted to the poul-
tryman who pays no attention to his
chickens, as they will not lay unless
they are given good care. They lay
white eggs weighing ten to the pound.
The eggs Of the American breeds
weigh eight to the pound.
The small size of the Leghorn hens
makes them cheaply kept. They are
early maturing, often beginning to lay
when they are four and a half months
old. Their flesh is of good quality, but
their size is against them from mar
ket standpoint. The only way the
cockerels can be disposed Of at profit
Is to sell them as broilers at two
pounds weight or smaller. OF the sew
eral varieties Of Leghorn the white
and brown are the most popular from
utility standpoint.