A DUAL PURPOSE TYPE 



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on the Asiatics. While neither flighty in temperament nor quick on 

 the wing, the American breeds are not as inactive as the big races 

 of Asia; they are domestic, yet satisfactory foragers, when, the 

 snow having melted and the poultry house door opened, the chickens 

 are at liberty to glean most of their living from the range of the 

 general farm. 



The American breeds are moderately hard-feathered, which makes 

 them more economical to grow than the longer, more profusely 

 feathered Cochins. Excessive feather is always costly to grow. 



As meat producers. The Standard weights of the American breeds 

 as set by the American Poultry Association are as follows: 



Taking the birds as they run, it will be found that the Rocks are 

 the largest of the six breeds which comprise the class, and when bred 

 somewhat for meat production the}- meet the most critical demand for 

 roasting or large type fowls. 



The Wyandotte made its early reputation as a broiler rather than 

 a roasting chicken. It reaches the two-pound stage quickly, in a 

 plump condition and better covered with plumage than the Rock. 

 The Wyandotte makes a plump and nicely fleshed, well proportioned 

 capon at weights of from seven to nine pounds. 



The Rhode Island Red originally was colony farmed for eggs in 

 the Little (Jompton district of Rhode Island, and the uniformity of 

 size found in the Reds at the present time is the direct result of 

 selective breeding since fanciers have taken up the breed. Popular 

 favor has been extended to even a larger type of Red than what the 

 American Poultry Association has set as standard, and a six-pound 

 pullet usually will win over a Standard five-pound pullet, other points 

 being equal. The Red therefore may be said to have valuable meat 

 quality. D. O. Barto, in charge of poultry at the Illinois Agricultural 

 Station, states that three out of five of his best capons are Reds. 



Each of these breeds has strong vitality, and this is an important 

 matter, because there cannot be high fertility in the eggs, good 

 "livability" of the chicks, sturdy growth, fleshing qualities, or high 

 egg production without strong constitutional vigor. 



