4 22 



POULTRY CULTURE 



FIG. 438. Single-Combed Buff 

 Orpington pullet 



Typically the differences in shape of 

 body between these breeds are as fol- 

 lows: The Rhode Island Red, compared 

 with the Wyandotte (which has the 

 same weights, except for the pullet), 

 has a long body, described as " oblong " ; 

 the Wyandotte, a chunky, " blocky " 

 body. The Buckeye tends toward the 

 Indian Game rather than the oblong 

 Rhode Island Red shape. Compared 

 with the Wyandotte and Rhode Island 

 Red, the Plymouth Rock is longer-bodied 

 than the Wyandotte and heavier than 

 the Rhode Island Red, with more weight 

 in the rear. The Java is longer and 

 narrower than the Plymouth Rock, the 

 Orpington broader and deeper. To 

 some extent these differences depend 

 upon length of plumage and carriage of 



the body. As between any breed and one immediately above or below it in 



the scale of size and weight, little difference in tendencies and adaptations is 



found. Between breeds at the ex- 

 tremes, considerable differences may 



be noted. The lighter breeds are usu- 

 ally more active and mature earlier, 



are less prone to put on fat, and have 



a longer productive life than the 



heavier, though the latter, while in 



suitable condition, are equally good 



layers. For table use the Rhode 



Island Reds are commonly rated 



rather inferior to Plymouth Rocks 



and Wyandottes, but this is wholly 



a matter of selection for meat qual- 

 ity. Some stocks of Reds are as 



good table poultry as any of the 



other breeds of the class. As first 



introduced the Orpingtons were 



probably of higher average table 



quality than the American breeds 



because of more careful selection 



along that line in England ; as 



found now they average with the 



others. Choice among these varieties is largely a matter of personal preference 



for a particular color, or for a color adapted to some feature of the location. 



FIG. 439. Single-Combed Buff Orpington 

 cockerel 



