No. 4.] POULTRY AND EGG PRODUCTION. 15 



vigorous stock. In discussing the stock there are a number of 

 things to consider. Foremost is the determination of the 

 breed best adapted to produce the type of product required. 

 The birds themselves have frequently been likened to machines, 

 which are required to transform the raw product — feed — 

 into a finished product, — eggs and meat. Without a well- 

 built machine this transformation cannot be carried on at a 

 profit. There are many different types of birds, each designed 

 for the production of a different type of product. The determi- 

 nation of the breed should be the first question decided. Three 

 general classes of birds exist, first, the so-called egg or light 

 breeds, most of which are of Mediterranean origin, of which 

 the Leghorn is the typical example. These birds are kept in 

 large numbers on successful farms where the production of 

 white eggs for the wholesale markets is the primary object. 

 It is an established fact that in New Jersey and New York 

 these white-shelled eggs sell for from 3 to 15 cents more than 

 brown eggs, the average premium being about 5 cents per 

 dozen during the entire year. This difference is not apparent 

 in Boston or southern New England. These light-egg breeds 

 stand the confinement well and admit of herding together in 

 large flocks. They are essentially active and are close feath- 

 ered. Their rather large fleshy head parts require careful 

 protection against freezing during severe weather in the 

 winter. 



The second type of bird may be called the general-purpose, 

 and this includes the Wyandotte, the Rhode Island Reds and 

 the Orpingtons. These breeds are characterized by their abil- 

 ity to lay a goodly number of brown-shelled eggs, and to 

 bring in considerable revenue when sold for market purposes. 

 It is this type of bird which is kept on some of the large com- 

 mercial farms, but they more especially comprise the popular 

 type on the farm and in the suburban communities. Being 

 largely dual purposed they are the most desirable type for 

 supplying home demands. 



The third type of fowl comprises the meat breeds, of which 

 the Brahma and Langshan are examples. These are the largest 

 birds kept in flocks where market poultry products are the 



