242 AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION 



CHAPTER IV. 



MATINGS 



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To summarize from the foregoing, the best mating for color 

 viewed in the light of the most modern thought would be the one 

 that included the best colored specimens, that is, those that have 

 the required standard shade of buff, the most even from head to 

 hock and tip of tail. This description implies absolute absence 

 of black, white or any foreign color, and of mealiness and shafti- 

 ness as well. 



This is practically the method of mating that the best breed- 

 ers employ at the present time, but it is subject to one modifica- 

 tion, which some breeders use to protect themselves against loss 

 of color. To hold to the rich, golden shade and to prevent a 

 relapse to lemon, cream and other undesirable shades formerly 

 common, breeders use matings in which the male is one or per- 

 haps two slight shades richer than what is generally consid- 

 ered "rich, golden buff." Sometimes the strength of color is 

 maintained by the matings first described with standard buff 

 males and females for the greater number, and a lesser number 

 of females that are a shade or possibly two shades richer than 

 standard buff. For evenness of color and other requisites, such 

 females must be fully as desirable as standard specimens. 



Specimens that approach the cinnamon shades or those that 

 are muddy or brown to the slightest degree are not tolerated in 

 the matings by any recognized breeder of the highest class. 



Undercolor is secondary to surface color in buff varieties, 

 and while quite perceptibly lighter than the latter, some strength 

 is demanded in all specimens that are selected for breeding birds. 

 The quill particularly is required to be buff to the skin and as 

 near in shade to the surface color as it is possible to select, other 

 things being equal. By breeding from such specimens, shafti- 

 ness is eliminated or reduced to the minimum. 



These methods of breeding are comparable with the principle 

 of single or standard matings, and it is from such that the best 

 Buff Plymouth Rocks of today are produced. 



