BREEDS AND VARIETIES 



23 



These hreeds of fowls in a given class differ from one another 

 principally on account of their shape or conformation. 

 In each of these breeds there are several varieties of the 

 breed, all of which have the same general characteristic 

 shape, but differ as the result of the color or marking of the 

 feathers, or their type of comb. A still further distinction 

 is frequently made within the variety as the result of some 

 peculiar characteristic for which the variety has been bred, 

 such as high egg production or desirable color of feathers, 

 and which is known as a certain strain. To clarify this entire 

 classification an example might be cited in a class, as fol- 

 lows:— 



First. General-purpose class, which are noted for both egg and 

 meat production. 



■'■«f - 



Figure 9 . — Diagram showing classification of domestic poultry. 



Second. As one of the breeds of this class, there is the PljTnouth 

 Rock. 



Third. The members of this hreei, or varieties of this Plymouth 

 Rock breed, are the Barred Plymouth Rocks, White Plymouth Rocks, 

 Buff Plymouth Rocks, Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks, Partridge 

 Plymouth Rocks, and Columbian Plymouth Rocks. 



Fourth. In any one variety of a breed of a certain class we may 

 find, as in the Barred Plymouth Rocks, a certain flock bred principally 

 for high egg production and this is called an egg strain. 



SELECTING THE BREED 



Purpose. Beginners are urged to keep but one variety 

 of a breed of fowls. The question is frequently asked, 

 "Which is the best breed of fowls?" The answer is, "There 

 is no best breed." Selection should be made of the breed 

 that suits your purpose best, having in mind the object 

 for which the fowls are to be kept. That is, eggs, or meat, 



