56 Farm Poultry 



successful operation of the modern incubator 

 would incur. They therefore depend upon the 

 natural instincts of the fowls to provide incuba- 

 tors and brooders. Some of the more noted 

 characteristics of the general -purpose fowls are 

 discussed in the following paragraphs. 



Size. These fowls are usually of medium size; 

 that is, they rarely represent either extreme, al- 

 though the largest breed the Light Brahmas 

 may, under exceptionally favorable conditions, 

 prove to be fairly good farm fowls. The general- 

 purpose fowls, as a rule, have blocky, compact 

 bodies, which is one of the requisites for meat 

 production. They are rarely long-legged. They 

 are most economical feeders; that is, they make 

 a good growth for the food consumed. 



Disposition. Gentleness is one of the charac- 

 teristics of these breeds. The fowls are not easily 

 frightened, and are more easily confined than 

 the breeds which are noted for egg produc- 

 tion alone. They rarely attempt to use their 

 wings in order to escape from inclosures of me- 

 dium height. While they may become wild and 

 easily frightened by improper management, yet 

 with proper care they become quite as docile 

 and tame as is consistent with ease of manage- 

 ment and profit. They occupy a medium position 

 between the Mediterraneans and the Asiatics as 

 regards size, egg production, and docility. . 



