River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-03-21
Produce More Poultry
Help Feed Soldiers

The question Of what breed to
keep and how to care for a "back
lot" flock Of poultry is one that is
being asked by many who are con-
templating starting a flock. The
statement is often made that GER
tain kinds of hens are better layers
than certain other kinds. There was
time, before much was known
about the science of breeding, that
perhaps the above statement would
hold true. At the present time.
however, no one can justify h e
statement that certain breed are
better layers than any other breed.
Scientific tests have been carried
on in our Agricultural Colleges for
several years. Hens h ave been
trapnested and records kept. The
national and international egg lay
ing contests have been carried on in
different parts of the country for
several years. T h e results of all
these tests and contests prove that
no breed is far superior to all other
breeds in egg production.
By proper selecting. mating, and
trapnesting, heavy laying strain
can be developed in any t the
standard breeds.
White Leghorns were perhaps the
first to be highly developed along
egg producing lines. Perhaps now,
with all conditions right, the chance
would be as good for heavy produc-
ton with White Leghorns as with
any other breed. 1t must be borne
In mind, however, that there are
many conditions which should be
taken into consideration. Leghrons
have very large combs. The back
lott producer will not usually at
first have up to date equipment and
cOnveniences. If a hen freezes her
comb badly, early in the winter, she
is not likely to produce any more
eggs until spring. To guard against
this freezing, the beginner is liable
to make the poultry house very tight
as nearly air tight as possible. This
will produce d worse condition than
will result from frozen combs. (Poul-
try housing will be discussed in a
later article) | would, therefore,
not advise the beginner to start with
Leghorns.
Rhode | S a n Reds, Plymouth
Rocks. Wyandottes and Orpingtons
are probably the best breeds for the
beginner.
The Rhode Island Reds stand cold
weather we'll and are excellent pro-
ducers Of winter eggs. | have Of
ten made the statement, although |
cannot prove it, that it is easier to
produce winter eggs with Reds than
with any other breed, when hens are
kept in unfavorabIe conditions. They
seem to be able to endure hardships
well. q am not breeder of Reds).
The barred Plymouth Rock is an
old standard and hard to improve
upon.
Perhaps more effort has been put
upon developing hi g h producing
strains in the White Wyandottes
than any other Of the Medium
Breeds" At present the w hite
Wyandottes are we'll up in the lead
in the international egg laying con-
tests. They are compact in build and
have rose combs which lie close to
the head. This kind Of comb is
not easily frozen. The White Wy
andotte-from a laying r a n
makes an excellent winter layer.
Orpingtons are similar in many
respects to Wyandottes. They are
large, compact n f o m, heavily
feathered and good producers. There
is little choice among the three va
rieties-Black, White and Buff.
The next article will deal with care
and feeding of back lot" flock.
w. H. HUNT.