BREEDS OF CHICKENS 



5!) 



they represent, or which, as in (h)ul)le mating, will produce 

 in(liyi(luais which conform closely to that description. 



While technically there is no "pure-bred" poultry, in that 

 the standard hrccds ca,niiot l>c demonstrated liy official 

 record and pedigree to have Ijeen l.)rcd ])ure for many succeed- 

 ing generations, practically all the old-established l^recils are 

 as much "pure bred" as any breed of farm animal that is as 

 many generations removed from its beginnings.' 



American Standard of Perfection. — In poultry-breeding, 

 the American Shtudard of Perfection takes the place which 

 the herd book holds in the breeding of other farm animals. 

 It safeguards the ([ualitics of the breed, not by the exclusion 



l-i.;. 11 





1, Squirri'l tail. 2. \\ ry tail. \',ii\\\ av ilis'iualifications. (Aftrr .Sloruiii.) 



of individuals known to carry "impure" blood, but by the 

 disqualificatioii" of such birds as ha\'e defects so serious as 

 to seem to indicate the influence of impure breeding, or to 

 be greatly to the detriment of th(> breed. 



This book, ordinarily spoken of as Tlie Standard, is pub- 

 lished by the American l*(jultry As.-50ciation, and is re\'ised 

 and brought down to date once in eight A'cars. It lists all 



^ The term " tlidroiiKhbi'ed" is freqiionUy ii.sed in ijes'^r ibing standard- 

 bred poultry- "Thf>roughbred" is a proper name and refers to a breed of 

 horses. It is technieal!.\' as inarcurate to speak of Thoioughljred eliiekeiis 

 as it would lie to refer to Pl^'iiiouth Rock horses. 



2 Declaring them unworthy to be considered members of the breed. In 

 the show room a disqualified bird is not allowed to compete for a premium. 



