BREED TYPE 



75 



usually not be found in lay- 

 ing condition. The correct 

 underline can best be deter- 

 mined by studying the pic- 

 tures of good birds. In this 

 study it will soon be ob- 

 served that more winners 

 fail in underline than in any 

 other one feature, and many 

 birds that look good except 

 for some unnamed deficiency 

 will be found faulty in un- 

 derline. 



A crooked breastbone is 

 sometimes due to poor con- 

 stitutional strength, or roost- 

 ing on narrow roosts. Grow- 

 ing cockerels of the Amer- 

 ican breeds should roost on 

 2x4's, broad side up. 



Legs: The Standard allots 

 three points out of one hun- 

 dred to shape of legs and 

 toes, while the other major 

 shape sections are alloted 



five points each. There is no practical value in the Standard 

 scale of points. A bird stands on its legs; they bear the body and 

 well formed legs and toes are as important as back, neck, breast, or 

 wings, and one of these sections is no more indispensable than the 

 others. It is absurd to apportion five points to shape of back and 

 three to shape of legs; or eight to comb and three to legs. 



Length of leg gives station to the bird. If the legs are too short 

 the bird appears squatty. If the legs are weak at the hock joint, 

 they betray weak constitutional vigor; the bird is knock-kneed and 

 inactive. A knock-kneed bird should not be employed in breeding. 



The toes should be straight and well spread. If the two outer toes 

 are close together, it shows that the bird does not stand strong and 

 is constitutionally weak. The hind toe should be well formed. It 

 should be joined to the shank, not too high up, and above all, pro- 

 ject backward and not turn forward. This latter defect is known as 

 "duck foot," and when a bird carrying the defect is bred, the de- 

 formed hind toe is quite persistent in reproducing itself. 



The tibia or drumstick should be visible and not be completely 

 covered with plumage, except in Wyandotte hens, where the long 

 fluff sometimes completely covers the tibia down to the hock joint. 

 You cannot secure a smooth underline when the drum stick is lost 



Knock-Kneed Barred Rock Male. 



