Characteristics of General-purpose Fowls 59 



farmers do not feel that they can afford to be bur- 

 dened with the extra care and study which the 

 successful operation of the modern incubator would 

 incur. They therefore depend upon the natural 

 instincts of the fowls to provide incubators and 

 brooders. Some of the more noted characteristics 

 of the general-purpose fowls are discussed in the 

 following paragraphs. 



Size. These fowls are usually of medium size; 

 that is, they rarely represent either extreme, although 

 the largest breed the Light Brahmas may, under 

 exceptionally favorable conditions, prove to be 

 fairly good farm fowls. The general-purpose fowls, 

 as a rule, have blocky, compact bodies, which is 

 one of the requisites for meat production. They 

 are rarely long-legged. They are most economical 

 feeders; that is, they make a good growth for the 

 food consumed. 



Disposition. Gentleness is one of the charac- 

 teristics of these breeds. The fowls are not easily 

 frightened, and are more easily confined than the 

 breeds which are noted for egg production alone. 

 They rarely attempt to use their wings in order 

 to escape from inclosures of medium height. While 

 they may become wild and easily frightened by 

 improper management, yet with proper care they 

 become quite as docile and tame as is consistent 

 with ease of management and profit. They occupy 

 a medium position between the Mediterraneans 



