POULTRY KEEPING 527 



raised with as much ease as any of the earlier maturing varieties. As 

 sitters and mothers they are fair. 



For practical purposes the Dark Brahmas are not to be com- 

 mended as highly as the Light Brahmas. The close breeding for 

 points in feathers is likely to interfere with their productiveness, yet 

 with proper attention and care they can be bred profitably as well as 

 for beauty. The standard weight of Light Brahma cocks is 12 

 pounds; hens, D 1 /^ pounds; cockerels, 10 pounds; pullets, 8 pounds. 

 The standard weight of Dark Brahma cocks is 11 pounds; hens, 8^ 

 pounds ; cockerels, 9 pounds ; pullets, 7 pounds. 



Cochins. The four varieties of Cochins are popular with breed- 

 ers. They are second to the Brahmas in the meat breeds, weighing 

 but a pound lighter than the Light Brahma. Old and experienced 

 breeders of Cochins are pronounced in praise of their equalities as 

 profitable fowls. They are hardy, fair winter layers of rich, brown, 

 medium-sized eggs, and fairly good table fowls. The chicks grow 

 well and develop rapidly under proper care. 



The Buff variety is the most generally bred; their color tone 

 offers an attraction to fanciers that is hard to resist. Both male and 

 female are of a rich golden buff, uniform in shade throughout, un- 

 dercolor same as surface color, but of lighter shade and should ex- 

 tend to the skin. In breeding, select females as near as possible to 

 the desired shade of buff, as free from dark or white in wing and tail, 

 and of as even a color as can be. To such females mate a cock of 

 deeper shade. This mating will produce good results in cockerels 

 and pullets. The heavy leg and toe feathering so characteristic of the 

 breed should have constant care and attention. While the feathering 

 should be abundant, all semblance to vulture hock, or stiff feather- 

 ing, should be avoided. 



Black Cochins are much more easily raised than either the Buff 

 or the Partridge. Being of one color, the care bestowed in breeding 

 particolored or penciled birds is not necessary, and the time may be 

 spent in furthering their general utility in egg production. A solid- 

 color bird is the more practical bird for the farmer and market 

 poulterer. The Black Cochin is of a rich glossy black plumage 

 throughout. The White Cochin is pure white in plumage. The 

 standard weight of Cochin cocks is 11 pounds; hens, 8^ pounds; 

 cockerels, 9 pounds ; pullets, 7 pounds. 



Langshans. These are the smallest and most active of the 

 Asiatic class. They are practical in more senses than one, and their 

 fair laying and other excellent qualities make them profitable for 

 the farmer and market poultryman. They constitute one of the old- 

 est breeds of poultry and have always been held in popular esteem. 

 The shape of the Langshan is distinct from that of the Brahma or 

 Cochin and should not be confused with either of the last-named 

 breeds. Figure 8 shows the accepted contour of the Langshans, and 

 a comparison with the birds in figures 6 and 7 shows at a glance the 

 characteristics of the Langshan as compared with the other Asiatics. 

 Langshans have white flesh and dark shanks, while the others have 

 yellow skin and yellow slianks. The quality of the flesh of the Lang- 



