Milford chronicle., 1917-12-14
The Little Red Hen For Profit.
By J. H. MeFAUL, Jr.
an Rights Rese,Tedl

That the Little Red Hen IS coming into
prominence among the peoples OF the
earth. and particularly that portion who
Interest themselves I'm the breeding and
raising Of poultry. is evidenced by the
number Of persons who have cast aside
many other breeds and taken wholly un-
to themselves the beautiful Rhode island
Reds
/ While this breed possibly does not at
present rank as high in point Of numbers
as do one or two other breeds such as
the Barred Rocks and Leghorns. vet it is
fast forging to the front as a leader
among the general purpose fowls. and il
prediction comes true. il will outshiue the
Rocks before many moons. While. of
course, the Leghorns are not included in
what is generally termed general purpose
fowls, it is nevertheless n recognized
leader among the egg types. and as such
enjoys much popularity.
Few poultry plants whose owners make
"A specially Of commercial poultry ever
adopt the egg breeds. but on the contrary.
select fowls alike useful for both eggs and
meat As such bird the Rhode Island
Red can be said TO have no equal While
most breeds, in fact all Of them. can be
bred with profit, yet this particular type
Of fowl, I believe, has something on any
other for the dual purpose of meat and
eggs. This is especially true where win
tel eggs are sought.
While the Rhode Island Red is breed
that can be raised with profit. from the
standpoint Of fancy. yet it is not from
this angle I wish to speak, but rather /
from that Of utility or commercial pur- /
poses. As a commercial bird this now I
most popular breed ranks well in the front |
Of the many breeds on the market.
Its size, being only slightly smaller than
the Barred Rock, fits it TO be admirably
classed as a table fowl and its wonder
full laying qualities compel it to be reck-
oned with in connection with laying class
Most breeds Of fowl are only given to
spring laying, without extra pressure be-
ng put on by the breeder TO induce them
10 lay during the winter. But with the
Reds, winter laying is more or less a
habit. and with only a reasonable amount
If good care and feeding. they can be
made TO yield almost as well in the win
er as during the summer In fact. the
Reds are what might be termed au-year
ayers. save for the customary rest period |
nd that given over to brooding, and are
therefore, what might be termed persist
mt layers.
OF course with Reds as with all other
reeds, one must give some attention to
ousing and feed in order to get eggs
$ no bird known to poultrymen viii
ield unless given the class Of foods cal
ulated to make eggs :,
In selecting fowls for profit there are n
ertain qualifications which are essential
success. Some Of these might be term
1 rugged constitution, a long bodily for
ation, early development, gentleness, a
ssire on the part Of the fowl to shift for :
self, a bird that while sufficiently large =
" table use. is not so large as to be bur -.
ansome. and lastly, one that consumes
lly fair proportion Of food These =
are all to be found in the
hode Island Reds and they serve to
axe this now popular breed one Of the "a
.st for general purposes. es
The Red is heavily feathered. which -
rves it well during the bleak weather
winter, and it is one of the most active a. a
embers Of the poultry world. Being a
,od forager tends. in a great measure,
lessen the cost Of feeding and this
Iality. coupled with that Of a heavy
vering Of feathers, fits it 10 Withstand
e sudden changes in climate This par o..
.ular type Of fowl has been given STAN n,
a and hardness 10y virtue Of of its nj
threading and thus IS enabled to with
and confinement
The size Of the Red is not alone re- ~
#rf IA n.rrHN
2nS'oie lo' i'9 V''olT - ~. ~" it
sence Of dark pin feathers. tender
cy meat Of a most delicious taste; and sN
sse qualities can be said to be largely Ia
;ponsible for its selection for table use. on
The chicks are hardy and grow to the
,iler or fryer age very rapidly, and un- inl
e many Of the other recognized table We