Milford chronicle., 1917-11-30

Advertising, or publicity has much tc
do with the making of great breeds o
chickens as well as manufactured articles
in the mercantile world. Lack of pub
litcity is probably the real reason why
some breeds of poultry of more than
ordinary worth are kept in the back
ground, because the general poultry low
/ ing public are unfamiliar with their
merits.
While this is true of quite few breeds
of poultry it is especially true Of the
Houdan, which is truly great bird and
one from which good profits can be real
lied. II many poultry breeders, or those
contemplating going into the business,
would take to investigate the merits Of
/ the Houdan, before making their selec-
/ ton, quite a few would undoubtedly
select this variety as their chosen fowl.
Many things are important when Sc
lecting breed of fowls either for pleas
ure or profit, add as expense figures
largely in their keep. the question Of
feeding consequently plays an important
part One naturally wants the 'mostest
good for the leastest money, and with
chickens, you should pick breed that
will net YOU the greatest returns on the
least possible expense. Feed is the big
factor in the raising of chickens, and If
this part of the business is given your
consideration, you cannot help but think
seriously of the Houdan before making a
selection.
In addition to the small cost Of feed
ing. the Houdon has other qualities
which are to be reckoned with in the
selection of a breed for a profit, namely
the return given by the hens in eggs
the delicacy of the fowl for table use,
and the amount of meat on the fowl
when it is prepared for the table
The Houdau is a fowl that is as rugged
as a guughill, of which it is said lit can't
be killed " can stand all sorts Of clima-
tic changes, and is suitable to all condi-
tious Houdans produce large quantities
of beautiful, large white eggs of most
delicate favor, @hich, when produced
on such a small feed diet, is point that
appeals strongly in their favor as the
preferred breed.
Most breeds of fowls are literally push
ed the front by organized bodies Of men
whose activities are largely responsible
for the popularity of their several breeds.
But it seems as though the Houdau,
truly great bird, is held in the back
ground through lack of push on the part /
Of its breeders.
Whele the Houdau is not what might /
be termed a popular breed, yet it is at |
tracing the attention Of live and genuine |
fauciers and it is predicted that the dav |
is not far off when they kick many Of (
The present leaders from the rung Of
iame, to occupy the pinnacle themselves.
They have held their own ever since their
into this country in 1859.
The excellent quantities of the Hou-
ians make them a worthy contender with
he Leghorns, Anconas and others of the
lassifed egg tyes, and they are surely
,etter and more profitable birds than
hose of the larger-bodied types such as
he Rocks, Wyandottes and others of {
hat class. They are xuick of growth,
nd oftimes, under the same feeding and '
are, WI even outweigh the Rocks and q
)otts at broiler age. At the same time /
heir consumption of food is far less. !
his is largely due to the fact that their
odies contain more meat than any other
owl save possibly for the Cornish Game.
While not what might be termed large r.
,wl at maturity, they will often weigh 1
5 much as nine and ten pounds This 4.
lows conclusively their wonderful table :
ualities from the standpoint of meat
The Houdan is a "square-built' bird,
ing body, full, round breast, with a il
cry wide back. Unlike the average b
reed, the Houdan is profitable to keep B
n laying until five or six years old, "
hile other breeds are Improbable to
eep for this purpose after two years. o,
hen too, they do not take on internal =,
( and become useless after two years, 4;
do most of the other breeds. -
The Houdan egg is an ideal one for a,
arket, being fairly large in size and -,
hite in color, which latter feature is F
ueh in demand today II is often said =;
id of the Houdan that it is delicate and =
lrd to raise, but this assertion is posi- -
rely untrue. have never seen more
rider chicks than those of the Houdan ID
Id lhey grow very rapidly. Indeed, OF