Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-07-13


DDS of the many unscientidc features
Of the poultry breeding industry none
stands out more notably than the
present method of Judging poultry
The Standard of Perfection, which is
supposed to be the basis of all judg-
ing, is a most incomplete volume At
best. And it gives but suggestion
of what judges ought to know about
the birds they are awarding prizes to.
A suggestion for adding measure
ments of body parts to the standard
of perfection has been well made in
recent article in Reliable Poultry
Journal, which is here given;
In response to your courteous request, ]
will state several points bearing on the
Improvement of the Standard of Perfec-
ton I will not in this article dwell on
the matter of artificial VS. natural stand
ards. but will confine myself to explain
ing a scientific system which will. | be-
lieve, sensibly strengthen the STANDARD
and appeal to progressive poultrymen.
Whether ones tendencies are TO empha
size the fancy or the utility features of
fowls, he must welcome a method which
makes the standard definite and decided
as to shape and size
Some years ago ! attended great ag-
ricultural exhibition near Berlin Ger
many One day as ] stood watching the
judges of cattle at their work l noticed
one man using pair of big calipers
measuring the important parts of the
body of the different cows in competition.
An assistant recorded the measurements
and these data were used in awarding
the prizes Ever since that occasion |
have hoped that the plan of accurate
measurements. according to standard
of excellence, might be adopted in scoring
and judging poultry in America.
A Weakness of the Present Plan
A very faulty feature of the present
plan of Judging poultry is the dependence
resting on the whim of the poultry judge,
especially in regard 70 the size and shape
of the specimens.
Fanciers and breeders Of fine fowls often
decline to exhibit their birds a Ger
tain show because they know the judge,
who is TO place the ribbons. favors a
shape or size different from the ideal of
the poultryman. who avoids the danger
Of defeat by keeping his birds out of the
show
have purchased pure bred Barred Ply
mouth Rocks approaching Brahme size
and at the same time obtained trio
of the same breed not more than two
thirds as heavy one breeder had bred
largely for meat. while the other sought
10 develop q strain that should produce
plentv of eggs as we'll as a reasonab BILE
quantity Of flesh Some breeders strive
almost solely for perfection in plumage
and neglect the body
Many breeders have sought to increase
the size Of Leghorns and in some cases
they have carried the process so far as
to destroy the delicale graceful curves of
the typical Leghorn shape and TO produce
blockv bird with Wyandotte or Rock
characteristics.
Standard Measurements.
To correct the tendencies to extremes
and to establish a definite, decided size
and shane for each variety suggest add
ing to the weight specifications stand
ard of measurements of body parts for
pACh
rieties of the breed
TO determine fairly and accurately the
proper proportions OF the important parts
Of the body. we shall need 10 have the
co operation of many breeders of prize
winning and choice birds of each breed
IT was my purpose to work out the de
tails for one Of our leading American
breeds ce & the Wyandoites) before
placing the plan before the poultry pubs
lic but have concluded to offer the
crude plan now and invite the assistance
of MANY poultrymen, who, | feel sure,
win he interested and will aid in develop
ing and perfecting the plan
Every breeder has best pair Of birds
Of his favorite breed or variety Lei MS
have the measurements Of several hun
dred or a thousand Of these birds which
i'm their scores approach perfection Then
we will find the average breadth Of skull.
width of breast length IF keel width Of
hips depth ~ body length Of bones Of
wings and legs. length apd spread NJ vent
bones end any other desirable measure