Milford chronicle., 1916-10-27

The first thought of every poultryman
in making a selection among the various
breeds of chickens to occupy place in
his plant is, what breed will be likely to
give the best results.
I do not intend to attempt to say, es-
pecially at this time, what breed is the
best for they are all good if bred and
raised under proper conditions, but Sim
ply to refer to breed that has been tried
and not found wanting, one that has been
tested with good results and trust that
it might strike the fancy of some of my
readers.
The particular breed to which wish
/ to call attention at this time is the Or
pington. This beautiful bird is classed
among the breeds known as the general
purpose fowls, of which there are quite
few.
The Orpington is an English bird, hav-
ing been originated by William Cook of
Orpington, a small village in Kent, and
this far-famed poultryman named his
creation after the village in which he
lived.
People are never satisfied. The old
horse-car gave way to the cable, and this
in turn, was superseded by the electric
ones. Airships and submarines also came
into use as a result of the unsettled state
of man mind Breeders in the poultry
world likewise were not content with the
old and original breeds at their disposal |
and thus the creation of the OrpingtOn |
and other now famous breeds.
In 1876 Mr.. Cook conceived the idea of |
a general purpose fowl, combining the |
qualities of several breeds, and after ten |
years of hard and constant labor, he gave
his first Orpington to the public. This
was of the black variety and took the
name of the Black Orpington.
In creating the Black Orpington Mr..
Cook went about his task as follows
Black Minorca cocks were mated to Black
Rock hens, and the pullets from these
matings were mated to Black Laugshan
cocks. In using the Rocks. Mr.. Cook
selected 'sports" from the Barred Rock
family, which were excellent layers.
The result of the Laugshan matings
bir Is with feathered legs then
100, the progeny had the light bodies,
white ear lobes and large combs of the I
Minorca and the yellow legs of the Rocks
all of which Mr.. Cook was able to I
eliminate only after years of arduous I
work. This was finally brought about, t
however, and when the breed was per-
ected it was a most beautiful specimen
hat bred more true than almost any
'ther known variety. :,
Almost from their introduction to the /.
,ublic in 1886 this breed has forged to :
he front by rapid strides, until today, it :,
S one of the most popular varieties. 1t !,
S a money maker from either the stand :
'oint of fancy or utility. =
When Black Orpington chicks are first !,
atched they show streaks of white, but
his should not discourage you as it is
lost in the growing, and in the
nd, they present a most beautiful plu- t.
mage, enhanced by a gorgeous green "
lstre so pleasing to the eye. The Or Il
ington lays a large brown egg. The O.
and especially the Black va "
iety, is specially desirable for breeding
4 city and suburbs where the area is re-
tricted as it does not show the dirt as do >,
irds of lighter plumage. Then too, they :,
re easily tanned and do not hurdle the :,
ences as do some breeds. =,
So well pleased with the creation of :,
MS fowl was he, that Mr.. Cook thought !,
we'll to produce the same high quality =,
( bird in the White and Buff variety :.
hich were later perfected and given to
ie public.
White Legnorn COCKS were the OASIS OF
ie White VARIETY. and to these, Mr. Cook ol
lated Black Hamburg pullets. As the I'll
ullets from this mating came for the in
lost part white, they were mated to tr
Ihite Dorking cocks The progeny from
lis mating came blue and barred and
gain the creator of the variety was called =,
pom to work arduously for the elimina- -
on of the undesirable features. in order It
lat be might get purely white bird. e.
ut success at last crowned his efforts, -,
Id the result was the beautiful white -
lriety of the Orpington family which
e have with us today.
While engaged in producing the White vi
rpington, Mr.. Cook was also busy on ar