KINDS, breeds; and varieties of fowls. 



87 



In this lesson we limit speclul coiisiileralion of fo" Is to Ihoiouglilired or pure Ijred [o« N. 

 Common or mougrel stouk rarely satisfies for loiij; the person trying to get pleasure or protil 

 from poultry. The lack of uniformity in it, anil the uncertainty of results in breeJing from it, 

 usually makes persons especially interested in poultry turn to pure lired stock to get these 

 points, even if they have not been convinced that well bred stock are more profitable — belter 

 egg producers, and better for market poultry. 



That well bred, thoroughbred stock is better for egg production, has been demonstrated in 

 practice over and over. _ This statement will hold good in spite of the fact that some succe>sful 

 poultrymen do not use well bred stock — are not good breeders, while there is a very general 

 belief that crosses are hardier, and many will afSrm that crosses make lielter layers. Without 

 entering into any argument in the premises, it may be said that there are two general facts that 

 I)ri)ve the general superiority of thoroughbreds: 



First. — The great development of the poultry industry in this country followed closely 

 the comparatively general introduction of thoroughbred fowls. 



Second. — An overwhelming majority of poultry keepers whose successes attract attention 

 keep pure bred fowls. 



It would be absurd to maintain that success in poultry culture could be achieved only 

 with thoroughbred fowls. Success depends on other things quite as much as on tlie liind of 

 fowls kept. But it will be found a general rule that — whatever the .cause — inability to get 

 as good results from pure bred fowls as from mixtures is a serious handicap to a poultry 

 keeper. 



A brief reference to the history of the breeds of fowls will show ho 

 supplanted others among progressive poultrymen, and also how some c 

 oughbreds have generally replaced others. This historical showing 

 important bearing on the attitude of the poultrynian toward the variou 

 in few things does the law of the survival of the fittest work more r 

 <letermination-of the status of a variety of fowls. 



It was between 1840 



American public begaii 

 improvement of domes- 

 time the fowls of the 

 class to arouse enthu- 

 t h e possibilities o f 

 have since unfolded, 

 there were scattered 

 out tlie country flocks 

 siune developed crude' 

 before their time, and 

 in liy people coming 

 vv here superior types of 

 l>ut the public gen- 

 It)' them, and they 

 pi'ps^ion on the poultry 

 E:;rly in the '"for- 

 foivls imported from 

 attention. Traditions 

 as much that passes us 

 on? lots of these fowls 

 Orient by sea captains, 

 the detailed stories of 

 particular lots of the.'-e 



Buff 'Plymouth Rocks. 



w thoroughbred fowls 

 lasses or types of Ihoi- 

 sbould have a most 

 s breeds and types, for 

 elentlessly than in the 



a n d 1850 that the 

 to be interested in the 

 tic fowls. Prior to that 

 country were not of a 

 siasm, or to suggest 

 development which 

 We may assume that 

 here and there through- 

 of well bred fowls — 

 ly by the fanciers boi'n 

 some, perhaps, Itrought 

 from foreign countries 

 fowls were to befound ; 

 enilly wasnotiittracted 

 made no disiinct ini- 

 eulture of the time, 

 ties" some gigantic 

 Asia l)egan to attract 

 which are as accurate 

 history, say that vari- 

 were brought from the 

 Some wliodonotcredit 

 the injportations of 

 fowls, claim that they 



