Comparison of Various Breeds. ig 



or Andalusians, Houdans, Brahmas, Leghorns, Spanish, PoHsh, Domhiiques, Game, Cochins, 

 La Fl^che. For quality of meat :— Game, La Fleche, Dorkings, Crevecoeurs, Houdans, PoHsh, 

 Brahmas, Dominiques. For size and weight : — Brahmas, Cochins, Dorkings, Crevecceurs, 

 La Fleche, Malays. For hardiness : — Houdans, Brahmas, Dominiques, Cochins, Minorcas and 

 Andalusians, Leghorns, Game. As sitters and mothers : — Dorkings, Game, Dumpies, Silkies, 

 Dominiques, Brahmas, Cochins. We might perhaps add that for combination of useful 

 qualities generally we would name Brahmas, Houdans, and Dominiques, as most worthy of 

 attention. 



Supposing only a single house and shed, or run, to be at the disposal of the fowls, it will 

 be far better not to attempt to rear any chickens at all, but to purchase, every autumn, such , 

 young birds as may be required. Chickens can be reared, with care, in almost any conceivable 

 circumstances ; but in those we are considering, the time and trouble involved would far 

 outweigh the return. Non-sitting breeds, therefore, must be selected ; and either the Houdan, 

 some one of the Spanish breeds, Polish, or the American Leghorn, will bear the confinement 

 well, and yield a good supply of eggs. Hamburghs rarely do so well penned up ; but in some 

 cases, where the shed is large and roomy, and scrupulous cleanliness has been observed, they 

 have yielded very good results. Supposing there to be a fair-sized open yard or run besides, 

 with the aid of a feeding-coop, chickens might be reared to a limited extent ; and if this be 

 thought at all desirable, the most lucrative breed in ordinary circumstances will be the 

 Dominique ; Houdans being inadmissible for want of sitters, and Brahmas, on the contrary, 

 sitting too often for the limited space. 



Perhaps rather more space can be given to the fowls, so that the breeding and laying 

 stock can be divided into two or more runs, and a spare run devoted to chickens. In that 

 case we are convinced, from long experience, that the most profitable single breed will be the 

 Brahma, and that if two breeds be chosen, they should be the Brahma and Houdan. With 

 these two breeds, properly managed, we are persuaded that greater returns can be obtained 

 than from any other combination. We would never, in a limited space, choose the Dorking ; 

 and are sure that a great part of the failures in poultry-keeping arise from the common belief in 

 the superiority of that fowl, leading to its being adopted in circumstances not at all adapted 

 to it. A bad layer, and very difficult to rear, it will never pay as a mere family provider; and 

 heavy losses will diminish what little return there might otherwise be. 



On the contrary, where dead poultry for the market is the main object, the Dorking is 

 invaluable. It fattens " naturally " and grows early, while no fowl presents a more satisfactory 

 appearance on the table. No other fowl will realise such high prices in the London market ; 

 and the well-known five claws are always a passport to the good opinion of the poulterer. But 

 even when good markets and a demand for chickens make it desirable, this breed should not 

 be attempted unless the situation be dry and sheltered ; if otherwise, the Houdan or Dominique 

 should be substituted, or a Dorking cock crossed with Brahma hens. The largest birds ever 

 known have been reared from this last cross, which can scarcely be distinguished on the table 

 from pure Dorking. 



For the general run of a farm, Brahmas, Dominiques, or Houdans will still yield the best 

 return : Brahmas where many chickens are required, Dominiques when only a few are wished 

 for, and Houdans where eggs alone ^re the end in view. The American Dominique we regard 

 as a generally most useful fowl, which only requires to be better known to be highly valued. 

 It has the general appearance and the edible qualities of the " cuckoo " Dorking, but differs 

 from it in having yellow legs and a far hardier constitution, besides being an infinitely better 



