70 



THE BIRDS 



the male and female plumage differ, the sexes can be easily 

 distinguished at about six weeks of age. Owing to their 

 early maturity and plumpness they make excellent medium 

 and large broilers, and the very best small, tender roasters. 

 Broodiness. The American breeds have the broody 

 instinct highly developed, and make good sitters and mothers, 

 for they are neither nervous and flighty, like the egg breeds, 

 nor heavy and clumsy, like the meat breeds. Considering 

 all breeds of poultry, the general utility type seems the best 



FIG. 47. A flock of Barred Plymouth Rocks. This breed is the most popular 

 general purpose breed in America. 



fitted for natural incubation, because, owing to their broodi- 

 ness and their size and temperament, they can always be 

 depended upon to bring off a good hatch. 



Hardiness. The general utility breeds possess all the 

 characteristics of the meat breeds which indicate hardiness. 

 They are full feathered, have small head parts, and an abun- 

 dance of fat to keep them warm in cold weather. They are 

 not liable to frozen combs and wattles like the Leghorns, 

 but the American breeds can live in any climate where it 

 is possible to keep poultry. They have not been bred exclu- 

 sively for abundance of feathers, as have the Cochins. 



