136 Farm Poultry 



As a good- sized body and a deep and broad 

 breast are indicative of a strong constitution, so 

 are they the requisites of a good laying hen. 



If one is compelled to make a selection for 

 egg production solely from the general conforma- 

 tion or appearance of the fowl, he should select 

 deep, long -bodied birds. Those having a short 

 underline, circular in outline, should be dis- 

 carded. The feeding capacity of the hen is im- 

 portant, for those that are able to digest and 

 assimilate large quantities of food are vigorous 

 fowls and consequently can produce eggs in 

 abundance. 



Americans look . t very much closer to the color 

 and feather markings than do the English. So 

 far as meat and egg production are concerned, 

 the English, without doubt, have the advantage. 

 As shown in a previous chapter, it is undoubtedly 

 much more difficult to develop two unrelated char- 

 acteristics to the highest state of perfection than 

 to develop a single characteristic. The English- 

 man, therefore, who seeks egg production without 

 special regard to the color of the plumage, finds 

 it easier to reach the highest state of perfection 

 than does the American who desires to breed 

 fowls for egg production and, at the same time, 

 have them true to feather. 



If one must select fowls for exhibition pur- 

 poses and breed them for fancy points, it will 



