The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-07-23
CBv F. o. WELCOME)

reiterated queries. II we look 10 eA-
perienced poultry keepers for our an
swer we often find them so preJudlceo
against breeds that they do not han
die and SO biased in favor of those
they prefer that their evidence only
makes our confusion more complete.
II we examine the matter in the
light of pure logic we find that the
most popular breeds and varieties OF
chickens are so universally bred by all
types of poultry keepers that even
we're one sort better than anothet 1t
would require a wiser expert than the
world has yet produced to point IL
out and prove his case
saw the other day this statement
'Leghorns are universally admitted 10
he better layers than any other breed.
Even if that statement be true II
proves nothing as to the relative lay
ing abilities Of Leghorns and other
breeds. Sometimes Leghons do not
Law we'll. When that is the case the
reason for their failure is likely to be
the same as those that cause specl-
mems of other breeds to lay poorly
and there are many reasons for poor
LAYING that have nothing at all to 90
with the breed as such.
I have no prejudice against any
breed, but during the past ten years
I have examined a great many reports
of egg production in private letters
and in our poultry periodicals, and
have yet to find any evidence that any
one breed or variety, as individuals or
as flocks, surpasses another IN inner
ent reproducing capacity.
, The largest authentic individual
} egg-record that l know of-31S eggs
: in less than one year-was made by
| a Brahma. The next largest-S1O eggs
? in one yearly Plymouth Rock.
( The largest flock records that | have
9 seen reported by apparently depend
{ able people were made by Asiatic and
K American breeds as we'll as Medlter'
e raneans.
If we divide chickens into three
d great -Mediterraneans, Aslat
e les and Americans-and then exam
s inc the difference in those classes We
It will much simplify the matter. Hay
ing selected the class that seems bes
q suited to our temperament, circum
}. stances, location and market, thu
choice of the breed and variety Ii
mainly a matter of whim or fancy.
In the Mediterranean class we hav
to several varieties of Leghorns, blacl
70 and white Minorcas, Black Spanish
r. several varieties Of Hamburgs, seVera
es varieties Of Polish, blue AndalusianF
le The Leghorns are hardy small, e!
n ceedingly nervous and active but tan
a able; forage widely when at libert,
n high flyers when confined to sma
Is yards OF parks. They are nonslttel
at and not so likely to become overt;
a on full and careless feeding in comm
ut ment as are the larger and less aetl'
he breeds. When marketed their sma
ed size limits the returns.
Us. The Minorcas are considerably lar
a err than Leghorns and lay a veI
en- large white egg. They are not
~, nervous and "fighty'' and are go'
re- market fowls whenever their viii
is. skin and dark legs are not objectio
art able. They are nonsitters.
ay' The Black Spanish, once deserved
on popular no longer possess any p;
SITS ticular desirable qualities, as a rule
iT' The Hamburgs are nonsitters,
at white egg, are small and not c.
10 sidered to be sufficiently hardy
general utility purposes. They a
the Polish Ga crested head) are Il
ciers' rather than farmers breeds.
Vno The Blue Andalusians are nonsitte
ass lay large white eggs, are larger tn
neF Leghorns and smaller than the
DOT norcas aid have slate-colored legs.
~ In the Asiatic class we have
light and dark Brahmas; several
- ors Of Cochins; black and white La
ghans. These breeds lay large bro
eggs, are large in size and are usuS
W. very persistent sitters. They
quiet and slow-moti0ned, cannot
'A0 over fence and are heavily fes
4o4o cred, including legs and feet, I
'O last feature is Objectionable on he
49, soil that becomes muddy in wet we;
~ er. Aside from that, they are less
fected by climatic changes than
the more thinly feathered, laI
combed breeds. These heavy bre
- easily become too fat to lay well
sna 10 carelessly fed, but care in feed
80. forced exercise in litter and ski
100 breeding will produce individuals
e $50 stocks that will lay as many eggs
80 hen in winter or year as will
80 other breeds. When marketed
.-.o,, meat each bird brings an aDpreci
49,, return.
= Ike N lh9 Ai m ,o'n olaos '" $40,
~ WyandOttes, several varieties; 81