The illustrated book of poultry : With practical scheduals for judging, constructed from actual analysis of the best modern decisions / by Lewis Wright.

Lewis Wright

Date:: [1873]

Credit: The illustrated book of poultry : With practical scheduals for judging, constructed from actual analysis of the best modern decisions / by Lewis Wright. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$Comparison of Various Breeds. ]\iinorcas or Andalusians, Houdans, Brahmas, Spanish, Polish, Dominiques, Game, Cochins, La Fleche. For quality of meat:—Game, La Fleche, Dorkings, Crevecceurs, Houdans, Polish^ Br?.hmas, Dominiques. For size and weight:—Brahmas, Cochins, Dorkings, Crevecceurs, La Fleche, Malays. For hardiness:—Leghorns, Houdans, Brahmas, Dominiques, Cochins, Minorcas and Andalusians, Game. As sitters and mothers: ■— Dorkings, Game, Dumpies, Silkies, Dominiques, Brahmas, Cochins. We might perhaps add that for combination of usefm qualities generally we would narhe Brahmas, Houdans, and Dominiques, as most worthy of attention. Supposing only a single house and shed, or run, to be at the disposal of the fowls, it will be far better not to attempt to rear any chickens at all, but to purchase, every autumn, such young birds as may be required. Chickens ca7i be reared, with care, in almost any conceivable circumstances; but in those we are considering, the time and trouble involved would far outweigh the return. Non-sitting breeds, therefore, must be selected ; and either the Houdan, some one of the Spanish breeds, Polish, or the American Leghorn, will bear the confinement well, and yield a good supply of eggs. Hamburghs rarely do so well penned up ; but in some cases, where the shed is large and roomy, and scrupulous cleanliness has been observed, they have yielded very good results. Supposing there to be a fair-sized open yard or run besides, with the aid of a feeding-coop, chickens might be reared to a limited extent; and if this be thought at all desirable, the most lucrative breed in ordinary circumstances will be the Dominique; Houdans being inadmissible for want of sitters, and Brahmas, on the contrary, sitting too often for the limited space. Perhaps rather more space can be given to the fowls, so that the breeding and laying stock can be divided into two or more runs, and a spare run devoted to chickens. In that case we are convinced, from long experience, that the most profitable single breed will be the Brahma, and that if two breeds be chosen, they should be the Brahma and Houdan. With these two breeds, properly managed, we are persuaded that greater returns can be obtained than from any other combination. We would never, in a limited space, choose the Dorking; and are sure that a great part of the failures in poultry-keeping arise from the common belief in the superiority of that fowl, leading to its being adopted in circumstances not at all adapted to it. A bad layer, and very difficult to rear, it will never pay as a mere family provider; and heavy losses will diminish what little return there might otherwise be. On the contrary, where dead poultry for the market is the main object, the Dorking is invaluable. It fattens “naturally” and grows early, while no fowl presents a more satisfactory appearance on the table. No other fowl will realise such high prices in the London market ; and the well-known five claws are always a passport to the good opinion of the poulterer. But even when good markets and a demand for chickens make it desirable, this breed should not be attempted unless the situation be dry and sheltered ; if otherwise, the Houdan or Dominique should be substituted, or a Dorking cock crossed with Brahma hens. The largest birds ever known have been reared from this last cross, which can scarcely be distinguished on the table from pure Dorking. For the general run of a farm, Brahmas, Dominiques, Houdans, or Leghorns will still yield the best return : Brahmas where many chickens are required, Dominiques when only a few are wished for, and Houdans or Leghorns where eggs alone are the end in view. The American Dominique we regard as a generally most useful fowl, which only requires to be better known. It has the appearance and the edible qualities of the “cuckoo” Dorking, but differs from it in having yellow legs and a far hardier constitution, besides being an infinitely better$