CHAPTER XXIII. 



RHODE ISLAND REDS. 



A Fine utility type — Importance of the oblong body — Too much size 

 is not typical of the prolific Red — The Little Compton district in 

 Rhode Island where the breed originated — The early improvers of the 

 stock — Recognized as a Standardbred — Correct mating. 



The Rhode Island Red stands in the forefront as a Standard 

 breed which combines a maximum of utility and beauty. 



The long body and deep abdomen of the typical female allow for 

 big intestinal development and large egg capacity. 



Some selective breeding is, of course, necessary to maintain the 

 egg qualities. Because of the Indian Game blood in the breed, some 

 of the females show the trait in wrinkled faces; and a wrinkled, puffed 

 face in either male or female augurs against heavy egg laying inclina- 

 tions. It has been found that the smooth faced females, fine in texture 

 of the skin, are the best layers. 



Length, height and width. Length of body should not be over- 

 done, for excesses in any direction are detrimental. A breeder who 

 develops any one point to the extreme, pays a penalty which is exacted 

 by an inexorable Nature. The wise breeder realizes the practical 

 value of a well balanced fowl, and is not led astray in an effort to 

 develop length to an excessive extent. 



There is the same amount of bone in one Rhode Island Red as in 

 another of equal weight. If an extreme length is obtained, it is 

 gained at a loss of width. The bird is, therefore, long in body, but 

 narrow across the hips and not thick through the breast and body. 

 Such a specimen will present a nice side view, but a good breeder 

 will remark that such a bird lacks substance. 



The carriage of a Rhode Island Red is important. A bird, to 

 have the right bearing, should have sufficient station, which is secured 

 by legs of proper length. The leg comprises two sections, the drum- 

 stick and the shank. Commonly the shank is of sufficient length, 

 but from the hock joint up, the so-called thigh is apt to be too short. 



It is easy to get the desired length of leg coupled with a long 

 back. But as already pointed out, excessive length of back is secured 

 at the expense of thickness of body; and length of legs in such a 

 bird is secured with a loss of muscle or meat on the drumstick, and 

 there is absent that desirable spread between the legs which is sug- 

 gestive of good under pinning and a strong body. 



How, then, are birds of good length of back and legs, combined 

 with good width, produced? They are produced only in one way, 

 i. e., by breeding big size. A big bird has a longer back because of 



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