THE MEAT BREEDS 59 



Disposition. Partly because of their size and weight, and 

 partly because of their breeding and management, heavy 

 birds are quiet, dull and lazy. They need care in feeding, 

 as they will not roam far in search of feed. Their powers of 

 flight are limited, owing to their weight, and a fence three 

 or four feet high will confine them with absolute certainty. In 

 order to keep such birds in good physical trim, much of 



FIG. 39. The great popularity of the heavy breeds lies in their ability to produce 

 poultry meat in considerable quantity and of the best quality. 



their grain must be put in a deep litter, as this compels 

 exercise. Generally speaking, heavy birds thrive best when 

 kept hi small flocks, with not more than twelve or fifteen 

 females in a pen. 



Maturity. The meat breeds are slow growers and mature 

 late. The females are usually from five to eight months 

 old before they lay eggs. Owing to this slow maturity, it 



