REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 



237 



the Black Spanish, as they are larger and hardier, the males making fair table fowls. 

 They are good winter layers when properly housed and fed as all fowls should be. The 

 fowls and chickens are hardy, the latter growing rapidly. Females lay 130 and 140 

 eggs, or more, per annum, and eggs frequently weigh 6, mostly all 7, to a pound. The 

 standard weight of the cock must be 8 pounds ; hen, 6£ pounds ; pullet, 5^ pounds ; 

 cockerel, 6£ pounds. The laying stock require to be kept busy in winter quarters and 

 liberally supplied with egg shell making material. The females are non-setters. The 

 hens of the white variety are also prolific layers. 



Fig. 2.- 



-White Leghorns. 



White Leghorns. — One of the best layers at all seasons of a large white egg. Some 

 strains lay larger eggs than others. They are non-setters, hardy, and mature rapidly, 

 and will lay well in winter, in a moderately comfortable house. The chickens thrive 

 well and feather quickly, and the hens lay a white egg of large size. The pullets lay at 

 five or six months, or sooner if hatched early. The Brown and Black Leghorns are 

 also great layers. They are good fowls for farmers when kept with a breed of sitters. 

 They are great flyers, like all the Spanish family. There is no standard weight for this 

 breed. The eggs from hens of a large egg laying strain weigh 2£ ounces each ; per 

 dozen, 1 pound 10 ounces to 1 pound 11 ounces. Like the Black Minorcas, the layers 

 require to be kept in activity and well supplied with lime to make shell. 



Andalusians. 



Andalusians. — Another breed of the Spanish type, and as a breed of layers rival- 

 ling the Leghorns. They are likely to occupy a high position among poultry fanciers on 

 account of their superior laying merits. They lay well in winter, when looked after, 

 and are hardy, quick-growing chickens. They do not breed true to colour or markings 

 in every case ; but that is a matter of secondary importance to those who wish to keep 



