2l8 



POULTR r- CRA FT. 



good in form and color. A breeder will rarely find that he has many such 

 birds under Standard weights ; the light weight birds nearly always failing in 

 shape. Late hatching is not desirable. Early hatched chicks are likely to be 

 better than those hatched late ; but chicks hatched in late May or early June 

 generally turn out best. Hens of the large breeds are not suitable for 

 hatching and rearing bantam chicks. The best results are obtained when 

 bantam hens are used. If it is not practicable to use bantam hens, " scrub" 

 hens of three and four pounds weight should be used. The bantam chicks 

 being so small, there is special need of guarding them from accidents, and 

 the chicks of the less hardy varieties need to be carefully kept from cold and 

 damp. They can be fed much as other chicks are, though they cannot eat 



Pig. 85. Bantams. 



Rose Combed Black. Exhibition Game. 



Rose Combed White. Sebright. Cuckoo. 



Cochin. Rumpless. Japanese. 



(By courtesy of W. W. Clough). 



large grains at an early age. The best developed bantam chicks are obtained 

 by giving as much liberty as possible, and feeding no more than is necessary 

 to keep them growing, avoiding forcing on the one hand, and stunting on the 

 other. Forcing makes coarse specimens ; stunting makes peaked, scrawny 

 ones. 



VARIETIES OF BANTAMS DESCRIBED. 



319. Game Bantams. Of these there are eight Standard varieties: 

 Black Breasted Red, Brown Red, Golden Duckiving, Silver Duckiving, 

 Red Pyle, White, Black, and Birchen, corresponding respectively in form 



