KINDS, BRLE.DS, AND VAR1FLTIFLS OF FOWLS. 



' 87 



In this lesson we limit special consideration of fowls to thoroughbred or purebred fowl*.. 

 Common or mongrel stock rarely satisfies lor long the person trying to get pleasure or protu 

 from poultry. The lack of uniformity in. It, and the uncertainty of results In breeding from it,, 

 usually makes persons especially interested in poultry turn to pure bred stock to get thes-e 

 points, even if they have not been convinced that well bred stock are more profitable belter 

 egg producers, and better for market poultry. 



That well bred, thoroughbred stock is better for egg production, has been demonstrated fn 

 practice over and over. This statement will hold good in spite of the fact that some successful 

 poultrymen do not use well bred stock are not good breeders, while there is a very general 

 belief that crosses are hardier, and many will affirm that crosses make belter layers. Without 

 entering into any argument in the premises, it may be said that there are two general facts that 

 prove the general superiority of thoroughbreds: 



First. The great development of the poultry industry in this country followed closeljr 

 the comparatively general introduction of thoroughbred fowls. 



Second. An overwhelming majority of poultry keepers whose successes attract attention 

 keep pure bred fowls. 



It would be absurd to maintain that success in poultry culture could be achieved only 

 with thoroughbred fowls. Success depends on other things quite as much as on the kind of 

 fowls kept. But it will be found a general rule that whatever the cause inability to get 

 as good results from pure bred fowls as from mixtures is a serious handicap to a poultry 

 keeper. 



A brief reference to the history of the breeds of fowls will show bow thoroughbred fowl's* 

 supplanted others among progressive poultrymen, and also how some classes or types of thor- 

 oughbreds have generally replaced others. This historical showing should have a most 

 important bearing on the attitude of the poultryman toward the various breeds and types, for 

 in few things does the law of the survival of the fittest work more relentlessly than in the 

 determination of the status of a variety of fowls. 



It was between 1840 



T ; ^\w*ttAzm&2 

 & 



American public began 

 improvement of domes- 

 time the fowls of the 

 class to arouse entbu- 

 t h e possibilities o f 

 have since unfolded, 

 there were scattered 

 out the country flocks 

 some developed crude- 

 before their time, and 

 in ly people coming 

 where superior types of 

 but the public gen- 

 by them, and they 

 pression on the poultry 

 Early in the ">for- 

 fowls imported from 

 attention. Traditions 

 as much that passes as 

 on slots of these fowls 

 Orient by sea captains, 

 the detailed stories of 

 particular lots of these 



Buff 'Plymouth Rocks. 



a n d 1850 that t h e 

 to be interested in the 

 tic fowls. Prior to that 

 country were not of a 

 siasm, or to suggest 

 development which 

 We may assume that 

 here and there through- 

 of well bred fowls 

 Jy by the fanciers born 

 some, perhaps, brought 

 from foreign countries 

 fowls were to be found ; 

 erally was not attracted 

 made no distinct fm- 

 culture of the time. 

 ties" some gigantic 

 Asia began to attract 

 which are as accurate 

 history, say that \ari- 

 were brought from the 

 Some who donotcredit 

 the importations of 

 fowls, claim that tbej 



