CHAPTER XXXIII 



THE ASIATIC CLASS 



This class is what are really the heavy breeds of fowls. It in- 

 cludes the Brahmas, Dark and Light; the Langshans, White and 

 Black; and the Cochins, Bufif, Partridge, Black and White. 



In England and the eastern States these large heavy birds were 

 at one time very popular, but here in California we see but very few 

 of them and these are held by fanciers. They are too large', and too 

 heavily feathered to be very good in a warm climate like ours. Though 

 the Langshans and Brahmas have many friends, even here. 



The Langshans are large, majestic birds heavily feathered to the 

 toes. They take a long season to mature in but are good winter layers 

 of large brown eggs. The Standard weight for these birds are not 

 so high as that for Orpingtons, yet they give the appearance of being 

 much heavier, probably on account of the legs being so heavily feath- 

 ered. Standard weight for cock is 9% pounds; cockerel 8 pounds; 

 hen, 7% pounds and pullet 6j4 pounds. 



They make good table birds, but very few except French cooks 

 like them on account of the color of the skin of the black variety. 



The Brahmas. — These big quiet hens were great favorites of mine 

 forty years ago. That was the heyday of their prosperity. I got some 

 eggs from the Earl of Derby and walked five miles after them. And 

 to tell the truth, I like them yet, but at the same time, I do not think 

 they are profitable in this climate. 



Standard weights for Brahmas are, cock 12 pounds; cockerel 10 

 pounds; hen 9% pounds and pullet 8 pounds. 



The Brahmas are good layers, good sitters and mothers and being 

 so heavy they do not ramble at all, but they are usually clumsy and 

 kill chickens by stepping on them. 



Cochins. — We still see a few of the big fellows at the shows 

 simply because every bird living has its fancier and admirer and the 

 Cochins appeal to some people. To me they are nothing but a bag 

 of feathers. 



While they look massive, they are in realty not as large as the 

 Brahmas. But at one time they were quite popular as table birds. 

 Standard weights are, cock 11 pounds; cockerel 9 pounds; hen 9J^ 

 and pullet 7 pounds. 



