BREEDS AND VARIETIES 



throughout. Creaminess in this variety is not a 

 serious defect as it is in white chickens. The use, 

 however, of yellow corn and of foods very rich in 

 oil tends to increase the creaminess of the plumage 

 and should not be used to excess for birds which are 

 to be exhibited. 



The Aylesbury. This breed is particularly noted 

 for its deep keel. It differs from the Pekin in type 

 in that it is more nearly level in body. There is a 

 decided tendency for the Aylesbury to run too short 

 in body which has probably come about by extreme 

 selection for deep keel. It is well, therefore, in mak- 

 ing the mating to select breeders with good length 

 of body. Since the deep full breast and keel is char- 

 acteristic of this breed it is necessary to avoid breed- 

 ers which show any tendency toward a flat breast. 

 As in the case of the Pekins avoid any birds which 

 have green or olive colored bills. The back line of 

 the Aylesbury should be straight, showing no tend- 

 ency toward a slight concavity as in the Pekin. 

 Birds showing this shape back should be avoided. 

 As in the Pekin black on the bill or bean of the 

 drake will disqualify and in the duck is a serious de- 

 fect. The color of plumage should be white through- 

 out and should show no tendency toward cream- 

 iness. The bill in this breed is flesh colored instead 

 of yellow as in the Pekin. The Aylesbury is not 

 quite as nervous a breed as the Pekin. 



The Rouen. The Rouen duck is a parti-colored 

 breed and is therefore much more difficult to secure 



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