CHAPTER VIII 



POULTRY 



Materials. 



Either pictures or specimens of the different breeds of 

 fowl. 



General Information. 



Under the term poultry are included chickens as well as 

 turkeys, pigeons, ducks, geese, etc. Chickens are most 

 generally raised, since they do not require such special con- 

 ditions as the others. In this exercise only this form of 

 poultry is considered. 



The hen has been domesticated from prehistoric times, 

 being probably derived from the so-called jungle fowl of 

 India {Gallus bankivd), which is still to be found in its 

 native habitat. Through constant attempts to improve the 

 domestic fowl along the lines of greater egg-production, 

 size, etc., there have been developed a great many differ- 

 ent breeds of fowl. These may be divided into seven 

 groups, as follows : 



1. The American Class. 



2. The Asiatic Class. 



3. The Mediterranean Class. 



4. The English Class. 



5. The Dutch Class. 



6. The French Class. 



7. The Ornamental and Exhibition Classes. 



