BROILERS. 51 



Suitable hens having been secured they should be 

 mated with early-hatched cockerels. 



Since the work of caring for the chicks in winter 

 weather is arduous, and as prices decline rapidly after 

 a certain date, it is of much importance to the poultry 

 keeper to have chicks that grow to the proper size in 

 the least possible time. There is a difference in 

 breeds and crosses in respect to quickness of growth. 

 Some will attain to a merchantable weight in eight 

 weeks, while others will require from ten to sixteen 

 weeks. 



Among the pure breeds that make quick-growing 

 broiler chicks may be mentioned Wyandottes, Ply- 

 mouth Rocks and Light Brahmas. Leghorns grow 

 quickly to the broiler stage, but are rather small. 

 TVey make a good cross with Brahmas and Cochins, 

 Leghorn males being mated with the Asiatic hens. 



As broilers when they are dressed for market are in 

 the pin-feather stage, it is desirable that these feathers 

 should be light in color, for if dark the smallest one 

 left on the carcass is apparent, and the large ones 

 when plucked leave a stain on the skin. For rearing 

 broilers, therefore, fowls of light plumage, other 

 qualities being equal, should always be chosen. Burr- 

 colored fowls have light colored pin-feathers and are 

 always safe to use for this purpose. 



When the appearance of the carcass is not a mat- 

 ter of importance it is safe to use any Mediterranean- 

 Asiatic cross. Houdan males may also be used with 

 Asiatics or with Dorkings with good results. A Ply- 

 mouth Rock or Houdan cross with a breed having any 

 black in the plumage is apt to produce progeny with 



