CHAPTER V 

 DUAL-PURPOSE BREEDS 



Definition. — The terms "dual-purpose" or "general-purpose," 

 for the expressions are used interchangeably, are intended to 

 designate such fowls as may be found useful and profitable in the 

 production of both meat and eggs, and if need be — under condi- 

 tions that require natural incubation. In other words, instead 

 of possessing qualities of a particular nature, such as intensive 

 egg production, "dual-purpose" birds are adapted to the com- 

 mon and more general conditions of the country — the farmer and 

 backyard poultryman. 



The farmer and backyard poultryman want hens that are good 

 layers, of course, but they also want fowls that produce an abun- 

 dance of meat, so that when the hens' days of usefulness in the 

 egg basket are over, they can terminate their utility on the dinner 

 table.. 



The "dual-purpose" breeds meet these requirements. Most 

 of them belong to the American class, in addition to which there 

 are breeds of like type, such as the Orpingtons, Dorkings and 

 Faverolles. We will take the American breeds first. There are 

 no finer specimens of poultry in the world than these products of 

 American fanciers. 



American Class. — The American Standard of Perfection of 

 1910 admits six breeds in the American class, as follows: Ply- 

 mouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds, Javas, Domin- 

 iques and Buckeyes. The first three named breeds are the most 

 widely bred, and of these three the Plymouth Rocks are un- 

 doubtedly the most popular. It has been said, and there seems 

 to be excellent' ground for the opinion, that Plymouth Rocks, 



