The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-07-05

prepared by The United states Depart
mont OF Agriculture)
The Plymouth Rock chicken has
been for years the most popular breed
In the United States. The Barred Ply
mouth Rock was the original variety
and was developed in the United
States, various lines of blood being
used in the making. 1t is probable
that the Dominique, the Black Cochin,
the Black Java. the Brahma, and the
Pit Game were used for this purpose.
The size and type or shape of all the
varieties of Plymouth Rocks are sup
posed to be identical. In general the
breed may be described as good
sized, rather long-bodled chicken, with
fairy prominent breast and good
depth of body, showing when dressed
well-rounded, compact carcass. This
breed has single comb ana yellow
legs, bill, and skin. The standard
weight of cocks is nine and a half
pounds; OF hens, seven and half
poG2ds; cockercls, eight pounds; pull
lets, six pounds. They are layers of
good-sized, brown-shelled eggs, and are
'reputed especially MS winter layers.
Popular Farm Fowl.
The Barred Plymouth Rock is by
far the most popular general-purpose
or farm fowl. This variety has so
long been n favorite with the general
public that the barred color Is gem
orally associated with quality in table
ANtsI L. m Do
plumage is n grayish white, each feath.
cr of which is crossed by dark bars
which are almost black. 1t Is desired
that these bars should be as even in
width, ms parallel, as straight, and as
well carried down to the skin as pos
siblc. Each feather should end with
narrow, dark tip. The barring in
the hnclle and saddle Is narrower than
In other sections. The alternating
dark and light bars give n blush cast
or shade to the general color, which
should be even throughout the surface.
1t is common for solid black feathers
or feathers which are partly black to
occur in practically all strains in this
variety, but this should not be taken
as n sign of impure breeding. Black
spots are also common occurrences on
the shanks, particularly In females,
but this does not indicate impurity.
There Is " decided tendency for the
males of this variety to come lighter
in color than the females, and for this
reason breeders are usually obliged
to resort to two separate matings, one
for the production of males of stand
ard or exhibition color and the other
for the production of females of stand
ard or exhibition color. This system
of breeding Is known as double mat.
ing. In mating for males of exhibit
tiOn color Il male of about standard
color is used with medium dark fe,
males, or those two or three shades
darker than females of exhibition col.
or, in which the barring is rs distinct
and as narrow as possible, showing n
Clear-cut line between the black and
white bars. This mating Is known as
the cockcrel mating, because II pro
duccs greater percentage of oXhibi
ton or standard-color males, while the
females produced are too dark in color
for exhibition, but are suitable fol
continuing this line of breeding. II
mating for females of exhibition color
females of about standard color ar,
used with medium light male or on,
that is two or three shades lighter thar
males OF exhibition color, but whicl
shows distinct barring and as stroni
barring In the underCOlor as can be oh
tained. This mating Is known as tn,
pullct mating, because it produces ,
greater percentage Of females of eX
hibitlon color, while the males pro
! duced are too light for exhibition, bu
may be used to continue this line o.
breeding.
White Plymouth Rock.
The White Plymouth Rock is tht
second most popular variety of thii
breed. An the characteristics OF Tho
White Plymouth Rock are supposed {
DE identical with those Of the BarreI
Plymouth Rock except color. As ,
matter OF fact the White Plymouth
Rock tends to run somewhat larger IL
Size, and the type Is Il little more uni
form and little better than that Of
! the Barred Plymouth Rock. In colol
the White Plymouth Rock should be 1
pure white throughout, free from blacl
ticking aud from any brassiness oil
I screaminess.
The Buff Plymouth Rock Is dlstln
guished from the other Rocks by tn,
I'rolor alone, which should be an ever
shade Of golden bun throughout
Shafting, or the presence of feather.
having a shaft of different color from