go Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



characteristics are, a square-shaped body, with a quiet stately 

 carriage, the breast being put well forward. Some varieties 

 have a single, and others a rose comb, but in all cases the 

 head is large, yet neat. The wattles are large and pendant ; 

 the neck is short, taper and with full hackle ; the body is large 

 and deep when viewed sideways, almost forming a square ; the 

 breastbone is deep, the back broad, the tail full, and the thighs 

 large and full ; the legs are white in colour, straight, strong, 

 and clean, have five toes ; and the whole frame is large. 

 Full-grown cocks weigh 10lb. to 111b., and hens 81b. to 

 9ib. 



This breed is the old-fashioned Sussex fowl, and' takes its 

 name from the town of the same name in that county. It 

 has long held the pre-eminent position among English table 

 fowls, and deservedly so, for its white flesh, deep breasts, 

 white legs, and light bones make it one of the best fowls 

 that can be placed upon the table. There are four kinds of 

 Dorkings — white, silver grey, cuckoo, and coloured — all of 

 which are equally good for table purposes, the last named 

 being the largest. In England great size is attained, some 

 cockerels weighing 81b. to 111b., and adult birds 101b. to 

 141b., which, unlike some other breeds, is not made up of 

 heavy bones, thick shanks, and fleshy thighs. The great 

 drawback to this breed is its tenderness. Whilst the birds 

 can stand any amount of cold, as is proved by their being so 

 largely bred in the north of Scotland, they cannot thrive in a 

 damp place ; and, consequently, unless the ground is of a 

 dry, porous nature, some other breed should be chosen. 

 Good housing and feeding will do much, but even these will 

 not be sufficient on a heavy clay soil, which is always fatal. 

 All Dorkings have five toes, and, as is generally found, this 

 characteristic is generally accompanied by a tendency to 

 " bumble foot," which is an enlargement of the joints there. 

 To obviate this as far as possible, the birds should have low 



