PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



white, ear lobes red, and shanks yellow. The comb is rose. 

 A single comb or a foreign color in any section is to be 

 avoided. This breed has a host of enthusiastic admirers. It 

 is famous for egg-production and the quality of the meat pro- 

 duced probably excels that of the Plymouth Rock. It is repre- 

 sented in some of the large commercial egg-farms and is a 

 common breed on the farm. 



Rhode Island Red 



The Rhode Island Red embraces two varieties, the Rose 

 Comb and the Single Comb. These are alike in all respects 

 except the comb. The Rhode Island Red is of American 

 origin and takes its name from the state where it is believed 

 to have originated. The breeds entering into its composition 

 are the Cochin China, the Black-breasted Red Malay, and the 

 Brown Leghorn. 



On account of its composite character, it is a breed difficult 

 to breed true to shape and color. By the law of reversion 

 there is a constant tendency to throw specimens that are off 

 in type or color. It will require time to breed out this ten- 

 dency. Marked improvement in the breed has been made in 

 recent years. The Rhode Island Red is a hardy fowl, excelling 

 in winter egg-production and is also an excellent table fowl. 

 For these reasons the breed is in great demand. 



The chief objection to it is the inclination to broodiness 

 during the summer months. As sitters and mothers the hens 

 excel. Chicks make rapid growth and choice broilers are made 

 at an early age. Pullets mature in seven months. Eggs are 

 large and smooth in outline, the number of abnormal eggs 

 being remarkably few. This breed is giving the Barred Rock 

 a close race for supremacy on the farm. 



Buff Orpington 



All varieties of Orpingtons were originated by William 

 Cook of Orpington, England. They are good general purpose 

 fowls, excelling in the quantity and quality of meat which they 

 furnish. In egg-production they do not equal the American 

 breeds, but they are considered very good winter layers. The 

 hens are good sitters and mothers; indeed they are so per- 

 sistent in sitting that this habit is counted against them. The 

 legs, skin, and meat are white. The white flesh is objected to 



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