60 Farm Poultry 



and the Asiatics as regards size, egg production, 

 and docility. 



Early maturity. These fowls are hardy, grow 

 quickly and pass through the delicate stages of 

 early life rapidly. They closely resemble the most 

 hardy of the noted egg breeds in this respect. They 

 are considered to be hardy at all stages, which is an 

 important point for, farm poultry. The many cares 

 of busy farm life during the growing seasons of the 

 year sometimes prevent giving the fowls the close 

 attention which the more delicate breeds require in 

 order that they may be brought safely to a stronger 

 stage of development. Hardiness at all stages of 

 development is, therefore, an important character- 

 istic of farm poultry. Early maturity produces 

 early-laying pullets. The so-called general-purpose 

 breeds mature early and frequently produce pullets 

 that will lay at five months of age. Early-hatched 

 pullets, as a rule, will lay at an earlier age than 

 those hatched later in the season. The early-hatched 

 fowls generally grow most rapidly and reach matu- 

 rity in the shortest time. Early-hatched fowls are 

 usually preferred for breeding as well as for utility. 



Good sitters and good brooders. While these 

 fowls are not so persistent sitters as the Asiatics, 

 yet they may be depended upon for natural incu- 

 bation, particularly if the hens are kept until they 

 are two or three years old. They make excel- 

 lent mothers, as they care for their young excel- 



