Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1933-10-06

NItA l
64FuLLER D BAIRD NM
WHAT BREED is BEST?

The question of what breed is
best is one that has been asked a
great many times and is one that is
very difficult to answer >satisfac-
torily. The fact of the matter is
that there is no one breed that is
suitable for all purposes or is desir-
ed by all poultrymen.
Poultrymen who prefer high egg
production with little considera-
ton of table qualities usually Sc
lect the Single Comb White Leg
horns. To a lesser extent the other
varieties of Leghorns and Anconas
are kept for egg producing pur-
poses.
On farms or on commercial
poultry farms where a dual pur-
pose fowl is desired, because of the
fact that there is a demand for
table poultry, such breeds as Ply,
mouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Rhode
Ietand Reds or New Hampshire
Reds are preferrd. For broiler
production, the Barred Plymouth
Rock, Wyandottes or crosses be-
tween Barred Rock and other
breeds are especially popular. For
the market trade demanding larg-
er birds such as fowls, roasters, or
capons,, the Plymouth Rock,
Wyandottes, Sussex, Cornish and
Orphingtons rank the highest.
The selection of a breed to keep
depends upon several factors includ-
ing the demand of the markets
that are easily accessible, the de-
mand of markets that are not close
at hand and the ACCESSIBILITY of
meeting their demand, the stock
available, the economy of produc-
ton of the breed and the purpose
of the individual poultryman.
Rightly or wrongly, the prefer
ence of the individual poultryman
is a factor which most often deter
mines the selection of the breed
kept. This may be for the best,
due to the fact that it is probable.
a poultry keeper will take bet
ter care of the breed that he likes
the best.
The color of eggs demanded byi
the most successful markets quite
often is a factor in determining
the breeds to be kept. Some mark
cts pay more for white eggs than
they d3 for brown eggs, and vice
versa. If this difference amounts
to enough in the course of a year
it will pay to keep the breed hat
lays the color of egg that is in
greatest demand.
The color of the plumage is
sometimes an important factor in
the broiler market. A consider
able number of markets demand,
or pay a premium for barred birds,
others prefer white and there is
sometimes a definite prejudice
against red plumage. In the larger.
sizes of table poultry there seems
to be a marked tendency away
from the barred toward the white
plumage in certain nhrkets and
this must be given careful con-
sideration.
The selection of a breed definite
ly depends upon the stock that is
available. One cannot expect to
be successful with one particular
breed unless the qualities are pres
ent. The strain of a breed Or va
riety is of much more Importance
than the breed or variety itself.
it would be foolish to keep a breed
or variety unless it was possible to
get the desired qualities and at a
reasonable price.
/ If economy of egg production is
desired, the Single Comb White
Leghorn probably has definite ad-
vantages. 1t is usually considered
to have a somewhat higher fertility
and hatchability, a lower chick
mortality and a lower maintenance
cost. They are also less broody
than the heavier or medium weight
breeds or varieties. To offset
this, there may be equally good egg
production and an increased return
from the better table quality of.
breeds such as the Barred Plymouth
ocL WTh;+o Wu,ndottec or r hoda