64 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Annual Average, Eggs per Ken. 



Plymouth Rocks, 141.10 



S. L. Wyandotte, 101.16 



S. C. W. Leghorns, 109.45 



Buff Orpingtons, 108.12 



My own limited experience with White Wyandottes in 

 comparison with S. C. Black Minorcas, under exactly the 

 same conditions, gave similar results, slightly in favor of 

 the Minorcas, the Wyandottes averaging 144 eggs per year, 

 the Minorcas 150. 



Taking into consideration the value of the former as a 

 table fowl over that of the latter, and having quarters for 

 only one breed, I have discarded the Minorcas and retained 

 the Wyandottes. For egg production alone I am inclined to 

 think the Minorcas a valuable breed. The eggs, although 

 chalky white, are large, and satisfactory for a local trade. 

 The birds are hardy, but, on account of their large combs, 

 must be provided with warm winter quarters to protect them 

 from frost. 



The breed for the fancier must be determined largely by 

 the breeder's personal tastes and the demand for the particu- 

 lar breed. 



Taking everything into consideration, the most profitable 

 breed I have ever kept was the Red Pyle Game Bantams. 

 A familiar remark of those not acquainted with the exhi- 

 bition Games is, " What is that chicken good for ? I wouldn't 

 give 5 cents for it." As fowl for the table, or as layers, 

 the remark is a fitting one; but for the show room and sale 

 they are fully as profitable as the larger breeds. From a 

 trio of the variety I let out to a farmer's boy one season, 

 for which I paid him $5 for their keep and care and the 

 five or six chicks that he raised, I received more income, 

 from show winnings and sales, than from five times the 

 number of White Wyandottes that were raised on the home 

 place, and were also exhibited and sold at pure-bred prices. 

 The same is practically true of any of the odd breeds of 

 first quality. In the keeping of the less popular and pro- 

 ductive varieties one has always to bear in mind that the de- 



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