Chapter VII 



The Puzzle of the Breeds 



THERE are 149 varieties of land and water fowl recognized 

 by the American Poultry Association. Of these. 121 are 

 chickens, 15 are ducks, seven are geese and six are turkeys. 

 These varieties represent 60 breeds and 15 general classes. 

 Who can measure the thought and patience and skill required 

 to produce these results? Scientific work of a high order, 

 carried on through many years, has been necessary, and much 

 credit must be given constructive breeders for the service the}' 

 have rendered. 



What is a Breed? 



The term class is applied to a group of breeds having a 

 common origin and a close resemblance in type. To illustrate, 

 the Asiatic class is represented by Cochins, Brahmas and 

 Langshans, breeds that have originated in Asia, and there is 

 a resemblance in structural characters. 



A breed is a group of individuals having a common type. 

 Breed is determined more by shape than by color. There may 

 be several varieties of the same breed. For example, the 

 Plymouth Rock breed which belongs to the American class, 

 embraces six varieties, but all of these have a common re- 

 semblance in shape. 



A variety is a group of individuals which have common 

 color patterns as well as the shape characteristic of the breed. 

 The White Plymouth Rock is a variety of the Plymouth Rock 

 breed. 



A strain is a group under a variety. It is produced by in- 

 breeding in the hands of the expert breeder. The Hawkins 

 strain of Barred Rocks, the Tompkins strain of Rhode Island 

 Reds and the Barron strain of White Leghorns are good illus- 

 trations. A strain comprises individuals which excel in shape, 

 color or egg-production, and this is brought about by the skill 

 of the breeder. 



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