COLOR AND TEXTURE OF 5K1N. 123 



The quantity of plumage, profuse or scanty, is advantageous or otherwise according to 

 conditions. The Asiatic with al)Undant plumage will stand cold and exposure better than any 

 other fowl, but In a long experience with Asiatics 1 have found that in extremely hot periods 

 a much larger proportion of the adult fowls will die simply from the effects o( heat than of 

 any other fowls. 



The young stdcik, not often being in full plumage in summer. Is nototfen so affected. Fowls 

 with short or scant plumage stand hot weather best, andarem'ost susceptible to cold and to 

 such temperature changes as are common in fall, winter, and spring. There seems to be a close 

 connection between abundance of feathering and foot feathering. Not that the two points are 

 not separable, but in general in a feather legged breed the volume of the foot feathering is in 

 proportion to the length and abundance of the plumage of the body. It is notable, also, that 

 an excess of plumage on the body and feet of the fowl is often, (If not generiilly) associa.teil 

 with a shortening of the feathers of the wings and tail, and (whether there is any necessary 

 relation of these facts, I do not know) twisted wing feathers and wing feathers narrow almost 

 to deformity, are far more common in heavily feathered fowls than in those in which the 

 development of feathers is more moderate. 



The quality of the plumage, li|ie the texture of the skin of the fowl, is an index of its 

 physical condition, and varies with it. This is a point to which little attention is given by any 

 class of poultrymen. 



Color and Texture of Skin. 



Some reference has already lieen made to the texture of the skin of the legs in relation to the 

 texture of the flesh. The fancier, a* a fancier, takes no specific account of the skin of the 

 fowl that is covered with feathers, but if the skin of the exposed parts, the head, legs, and 

 feet, is what it should be the skin that is concealed is not at all likely to be wrong, for there 

 is a natural correlation of texture and quality of the skin which extends to all parts. 



The skin of the exposed parts not being as desired or required, does not necessarily mean 

 that the skin of the body is not ri^'ht. There are numerous diseases and some conditions 

 which affect the exposed skin, but may not extend further. The bleaching of the skin of the 

 legs and feet of fowls which run on very dry earth or ashes may be quite marked, yet the skin 

 of the body be of good color. Dust ami dirt may disfigure the comb of the fowl so much as 

 to give it a faded or unhealthy looking color, yet the protected skin show no such effects. The 

 texture of the skin of the legs is of great importance in the matter of resisting disease and 

 conditions injurious to the skin. Finegrained, firm skin and scales resist to a remarkable 

 degree the action of soils, ashes, etc., and also of the insects which cause the loathsome disease 

 known as scaly leg. 



In general it will be noted that a fine soft oily skin is associated witli fine quality, firmness, 

 and glossiness in the plumage. These conditions or characteristics are to some degree depend- 

 ent upon the constitution and general health and condition of the fowl, but it seems quite clear 

 also that this quality contributes much to the health and good condition of the fowl. It may 

 be a question of opinion which is the cause and which the effect in such matters, but the value 

 of the external characteristics and their meaning are apparent. 



In most American markets the demand is for poultry with yellow skin and legs. In this 

 respect the color has an actual cash value for table purposes, just as color of plumage has for 

 exhibition. Of course in the consideration of single specimens, the value of color of plumage 

 may be represented by many dollars, while color of the skin of a table fowl increases its selling 

 value only a few cents, but the demand for yellow skin in table poultry is general and insistent, 

 while preferences for colors of plumage are various and changeable. 



In Conclusion. 



We have seen as we have discussed these various characteristics that in the majority of 

 instances where a character has special value, it is because it meets an artificial demand. This 

 is as true of "practical" as of "fancy" points. If demands change we change our fowls or our 

 styles, sizes or types of fowls accordingly. As we have, even with the most careful breeding 

 and skillful growing, considerable variety in each year's product, the profitable disposition of 



