PROGRESSIVE POULTRY RAISING 



The Asiatic breeds have not been as popular for general 

 farm use of late as they formerly were. They are for 

 the most part large, slow-maturing birds which lay only 

 indifferently and are greatly given to broodiness. The 

 loose, heavy feathers also furnish an ideal refuge for 

 lice and render it more difficult to keep the flock free 

 from parasites. 



Of the American breeds the Plymouth Rocks, Wyan- 

 dottes, and Rhode Island Reds are found in farm flocks 

 with frequency. Members of these breeds are intermediate 

 in size between the Asiatics and the Mediterraneans, 

 giving a carcass of desirable size and quality for market- 

 ing or for home use. While the average egg production 

 of these breeds is not so high as in the case of the Leghorns, 

 there are strains and families which are great producers. 

 At the Vineland, N. J., contest a White Plymouth Rock 

 laid 301 eggs during her first laying year and a Barred 

 Plymouth Rock accomplished the feat of producing 501 

 eggs in two years, these being the highest one-year and 

 two-year records at the contest. There appears to be no 

 reason why a satisfactory egg production and a sizable 

 carcass should not be found in the same Hock. 



Among the English breeds the Orpington is the only 

 one extensively used for the farm flocks. The Orpingtons 

 are quite similar in general characteristics to the American 

 breeds, being a little heavier than the Plymouth Rocks 

 and a little slower in maturing. Like the Plymouth 

 Rocks, they are fair layers of rather light brown eggs. 



The Mediterranean breeds are smaller than the English, 

 American and Asiatic breeds and much more active than 

 the latter. Taking the White Leghorn as representative 

 of the class (this variety probably being bred in larger 

 numbers than all the other Mediterraneans combined), 

 the average egg production is larger than for any other 

 class. The Leghorn, however, finds its popularity on 

 specialty farms where eggs are the main cash crop, 



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