FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 



407 



WEIGHTS. 



The standard weights of these different classes are as follows: 



Rreeds. 



Cocks. 



Hens. 



Plymouth Rocks. 



Wyandottes 



Light Brahmas.. 

 Dark Brahmas . . . 



Cochins , 



Langshans 



Minorcas 



Spanish 



I'ounds. 

 9^ 

 8^ 

 12 

 11 

 lOKtoll 

 10 



Pounds. 





7 



The Leghorns are smaller than the Minorcas and Spanish and have not 

 been given standard weights. 



The Rhode Island Red is a promising general-purpose breed, resembling 

 in size and form the Plymouth Rock. It has been developed by crossing and 

 selection, but has not yet been admitted as a standard breed. 



SELECTION OF STOCK FOR BREEDING. 



Having in mind the size and peculiarities of the varieties of fowls to which 

 reference has been made, it would appear to be a not difficult matter to select 

 one which would satisfy the requirements of any farm. In purchasing breed- 

 ing stock it is important to purchase from reliable breeders only, and to 

 ascertain that the stock is in healthy condition and that it has been bred for 

 early maturity, size, shape, and egg-producing qualities rather than for per- 

 fection of feathering. For the show room the feathering can not be neglected, 

 as the judges often place it ahead of all other features of the bird's make-up; 

 but for the farm the color and marking of feathers must be held subordinate 

 to the utilitarian qualities. The feathers should not, however, be entirely 

 neglected, as their perfection is an indication of the purity of blood and 

 carefulness of breeding. 



POULTRY HOUSES. 



It is very desirable that poultry should be provided with a house some- 

 what separated from the other farm buildings, but near enough to the 

 barnyard so that they can spend a part of their time in scratching for and 

 gathering up the many seeds and grains which otherwise would not be 

 utilized. On farms where no poultry houses is provided the hens are com- 

 pelled to seek roosting places wherever they can find them— sometimes in 

 fruit trees, sometimes on feed racks, sometimes on the farm machinery, or 

 even the wagons and carriages. The result is not only untidiness, but fruit, 

 feed, implements and wagons are soiled and injured by the droppiags, and 

 sometimes vermin swarm in the roosting places to such a degree that the 

 hens are voted a nuisance rather than a desirable part of the farm stock. If 

 these vermin-infested places are near the horse stable, the mites may attack 

 the horses, causing itching and a mangry condition of the skin, the origin of 

 which is not always suspected. 



