Sensitive to Cold 23 



Sensitiveness to cold. All of the noted egg breeds 

 have large combs and wattles, which make them 

 sensitive to low temperatures. Some of the breeds 

 having extremely large combs and wattles are 

 so liable to have them frosted in the colder latitudes 

 that warm quarters must be provided, if the pro- 

 duction of eggs in the winter time is a requisite. 

 Theory and practice agree that a lower degree of 

 temperature will be endured without serious results 

 if the quarters occupied by the fowls are free from 

 drafts. These fowls may become accustomed to 

 a comparatively low temperature without any 

 injury whatever provided actual freezing of any 

 parts does not occur. Pure air, even though it 

 be cold, seems quite essential to the highest degree 

 of health and to greatest vigor. 



Breeders have sought to remedy this somewhat 

 serious objection by breeding "rose-combs," that 

 are not so readily frozen. In practice this is found 

 to be only a partial remedy, as the wattles, when 

 extremely large, are almost as sensitive to cold 

 as the large, thin, upright combs. 



The egg breeds are much closer feathered than 

 the fleshy Asiatics (Brahmas, Cochins, and Lang- 

 shans), which endure low temperatures so well. 

 The thicker coat of fluffy feathers of the Asiatics 

 undoubtedly forms a thicker dead-air space than 

 do the thinner and more compact coats of the 

 egg breeds. The comparatively long and naked 



