The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-05-27
a TYPICAL IIoUDAN HEN.

TX a. ~ FlGAIIA 1lOUDAN HEN.
For over two hundred years we can
ind records Of the Houdan breed;
they were raised in great numbers
Z n France and Spain. During all this
time they have held their own as the
3 leading utility fowl of France. 1t is
said they take their name from the
town Of Houdan, near where it is sup
posed they were originated.
On their native soil they are a diff
ferent bird from those we find here in
America They are smaller, lighter in
color and with less crest, but with the
same marked tendency toward heavy
egg production. The Houdan hens OF
France on an average lay eggs weigh
ing three ounces apiece
The Houdans we find in Great Bri.
cain are easily as large again as the
french birds, and with enormous
crests, smooth as glass. In color
alone do they resemble the French
Houdan Their great Characteristic Of
egg production has been neglected in
England and they are raised only as
fancy and show bird
The American Houdan has the fine
appearance Of its English cousin, and
the great laying ability of its true
French ancestors. We breed them so
they are as big-bodied and weighty as
the English bird, and, while much
darker in color, they have the same
great smooth erests, the wonderful
glossy green hackle, tail coverts and
slckles. "A very noticeable character
istic Of the bread is the eye, the
brightness of which indicates health
and YigoT Nature gives the Houdan
an eye that is always on the alert,
which peeps out from between crest
and beard and permits no bug or worm
20 escape its notice. The true Hou-
dan eye is bright red in color and
large and full The oddly about them
the crest which is novel and attrac-
tive, especially to those not accus-
toned to seeing poultry with the fan
cy headgear- is not an Objectionable
feature as It might seem, but rather
protection and beauty mark. 1t is
not as Objectionable as large combs
are to some breeds or as thickly feath-
cred shanks are to others. The crest
should be smooth, medium in size and
dark
Another most noticeable character
istic is the fifth toe This should be
distinct from the others and curve
gently upward. The Houdan is a
ssauarely built fowl long in body, full
ia breast, wide IN back with grad
ual, even slope to- the tail, which
should be carried at somewhat less
than q 45-degree angle The body
feathers should be as nearly black as
possible. and evenly notified with
white The wing should be as near
all black as possible as we'll as the
crest. s
The first ifiportation of Houdans
was made in 1859. In short time
the breed became very popular and
for ten years the Houdan was a great
favorite here and in Canada The
American fancier then, like the Eng
fish, started in to improve the breed
! with the result that about fifteen years
ago he almost had the breed improv-
ed out Of existence 1t was crossed
xith inferior breeds several times I'M
I'll It lest much Of its individuality. A
halt was called. though. and now we
have the Houdan in all its original
beauty and good qualities. The Amer
lean bird has the shane Of the English
Dorking and the hardness of the
French Houdan; it has also the lat
ter's ability to lay large numbers Of
eggs.
The winter laying qualities, togeth-
er with its size, make 1t an ideal fowl
for the back yard fancier who wishes
fresh eggs and an occasional fowl to
eat. The hens need not be disposed
Of as soon as those OF many other
breeds, as they lay very well up to
i've and six years Of age. A yearling
hen generally will weigh six pounds
while older hens will often reach
eight pounds and the cocks ten and
twelve rounds. The pullets lay when
from five to six months old The
comb, which has been CHANGED from
the antler and leaf comb to the small
V-shaped comb. is never injured by
frost; but Houdans should be kept in
out Of cold rains. as their crest gets
wet easily and this in turn produces
colds, The Houdans may be inclos-
ed In q four5foot fence and bear con-
sinement well Should they occasion
ally get out they are easily distin-
.eUished Of course. from any other
fowls n the neighborhood. Should
their btrcasses be found in the mar
ket they are easily identified by their
i've toes: indianapolis News. Ia
CARE OF POULTRY.
The idea Is to get as MANY eaes as