70 Farm Poultry 



HOUDAN 



The Houdan is without doubt the most popular 

 of French varieties that are bred in the United 

 States. The other French breeds are the Creve- 

 coeur, the La Fleche, and the Faverolles. The 

 latter are new fowls and are practically unknown 

 in this country (see p. 52). The Houdans rank 

 among the useful fowls and are noted for the 

 production of a goodly number of eggs, and, at 

 the same time, furnish a moderate quantity of 

 fine flesh. The cock should weigh 7 and the 

 hen 6 pounds. Wright says of them : "Better 

 table fowls are none, the laying powers are 

 great, the chickens fledge and grow faster than 

 almost any breed, and the eggs are invariably 

 prolific." 



The Houdans are crested, bearded, and have 

 the characteristic fifth toe. Notwithstanding these 

 objectionable characteristics, they are reared to 

 some extent for their useful qualities, but are not 

 nearly so popular as the Plymouth Rocks and 

 Wyandottes. 



INDIAN GAME 



These are hardy and most excellent table 

 fowls. They are considered profitable general- 

 purpose fowls; are fairly good layers, mature rap- 

 idly and are unexcelled for quality of flesh. The 



