Milford chronicle., 1916-09-15
RHODE ISLAND WHITES
AS A UTILITY BREED
By J. H. MeFAUL, Jr.
(AN RiRhtS ReseyUedl

competition with other breeds. including their
world renowned sisters. the Reds, but in no in
stance have they failed to measure up to their
standard either in'size for purposes Of meat or in
egg yield.
The Whites are excellent foragers and will. when
given little liberty. pick up almost half of the
food that they consume. Like the more energetic
egg breeds they will if it be possible to get out of
their quarters, be picking up their food from
mother earth with the first streaks of light. in
stead of idly waiting for their morning allotment
( of grain from the hands of the attendant
No better mothers were ever bred and they are
not known to break an egg so careful are they in
the nest But, they are not constant sitters rarely
ever getting broody more than once during the
] season.
I Rhode Island White chicks are extremely easv
to raise and will hold true to color and shape The
little fellows frisky from the start, grow rap
idly and mature early. thus making them produc-
during the fall and winter. which is so neces-
sary to the success of any poultry plant.
Having a low, or Rose Comb, they withstand
the cold weather admirably and make good winter
layers. which is point in their favor as being a
profitable fowl. Rhode Island Whites are not only
adapted to free range breeding. but do equally as
well in confinement. when given the proper kind
of treatment. Proper treatment is absolutely nee
essary to any breed when kept 10 confinement. no
matter how good they are, but with this essential,
the Whites will be found as good as the best.
Now let US look for time at this particular
breed from the standpoint of table use. We have
said that the Whites are general purpose fowls. |
and have touched upon them from the point Of
egg yield. But their table qualities should not be
overlooked. Let it be known at the start, that in
this respect they are surpassed by few If any of /
the many breeds. The Whites make fine broilers /
and roasters. and very easily dressed. which is I
a good point to take into consideration.
The trouble with the average fowl classed among
the meat breeds is that it is too large. Most per-
sons prefer a medium bird to one Of extra large
proportions and for these the Whites meet the
demand. The cock weighs from eight to nine
pounds. These show the Whites to be just about
the ideal bird for table uss insofar as size is con-
cerned.
The meat Of the Rhode Island Whites is Of the
finest texture and deciously palatablei which adds
further to its qualities bird suited to general
purpose breeding. As has already been said, its .
value cannot be underestimated when egg laying
qualities taken into consideration, for in this
respect they are the real friend Of the breeder.
Most fowls. like the gentle sex, gain their promi-
renee through their looks You have but to look \
It the Rhode Island Whites to want them for
heir beautiful white plumage. bright red combs.
gattles and lobes, clean yellow legs. neat and
veil shaped bodies are fascinating in the extreme.
'hese superb qualities, coupled with their laying
nd table superiorites stamp them Of the y
reatest Of the general purpose and money-mak-
lg fowls.