THE CAMPINES 



27 



Again Mr. Brown states, in regard to the qualities 

 of the breeds which have attained pre-eminence, and 

 in some cases held a prominent place in the egg and 

 poultry production of Belgium for a very long period, 

 two points in this connection that should be empha- 

 sized: "First, that whilst the external characteristics of 

 the respective breeds have been kept in view, evolved 

 probably as a result of natural conditions, productive- 

 ness has been the determining factor; and, second, the 

 fact has been recognized that to secure prolificaty in 

 respect to egg-production a small-sized body is essen- 

 tial. Hence we find all the laying breeds are small and 

 the table breeds large." 



In a far away country across the sea (The Neth- 

 erlands) a quiet painst;iking priest discovered by his 

 patient observation anil experimentation with peas in 

 his garden, certain truths. Now the world speaks glibly 

 of these principles that he discovered in the laws of 

 breeding, and heralds them as the Mendel Law. 



''Belgians possess a great knowledge as to the 

 science of breeding but refuse to reveal it. They are 

 said to have known and practiced Mendel's Law for 

 centuries." (Edward Brown in The Poultry Industry of 

 Belgium.) 



The same authority states "that the claims made 

 that for more than a thousand years poultry have been 

 bred and produced on what may be termed industrial 

 lines; that is, systematically and for food production. 

 As far back as 1054 the people of Brussels were called 

 "Kiekefretters" (Chicken eaters). In going back to the 

 old records in the time of Charlemagne in the eighth 

 century one finds that the millers were obliged to keep 

 ducks and the farmers poultry as they had to pay 

 tribute in ducks and fowls to their land or over lord." 



All of which goes to prove that in a small densely 

 populated country with an area of 11,373 'square miles, 

 about one-fifth of the state of Illinois, and with a pop- 

 ulation of between seven and eight million inhabitants, 

 the struggle for existence is keen. The Belgian is 

 known the world over for his industry and thrift, and 

 nowhere has he shown this to a greater degree than 

 in breeding, especially in the smaller animals and birds. 

 Consequently it is not surprising that he has made 

 strides along industrial lines. It could hardly be other- 

 wise. He has a message for you, American breeders. 

 Are you ready to accept it and the hen that has made 

 good around the world? I have come to you not only 

 with this message; I have not come empty handed, but 

 with a gift in each hand. In the one, the Braekel-Cam- 

 pine to fill your egg baskets; in the other, the Malines, 

 the poor man's friend and support. Why should you not 

 profit as other nations have done and do from this 

 legacy that is proffered you? For these are hens not 

 only with a past, but with a present and with a future. 

 They are yours for the taking. 



Five hundred years of lineage establishes an ac- 

 knowledged aristocracy in beast as well as in man, for 

 it is said, that it takes seven generations to make a 

 gentleman. 



Perhaps some skeptic would say that is sufficient 

 time to fix sterility. Be that as it may, the Braekel- 

 Campine for whom this claim is made continues to fill the 

 poultryman's egg basket with large size eggs, and in his 

 own country, she is called by the peasants who disdain 

 trap-nests and modern paraphernalia, as "Deed Legger" 

 or (Death-layer), as they claim that if improperly fed 

 she will go on laying even when she is obliged to use 

 up her substance to do this. 



Egg Laying Records of Campinas 



Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Avig. Sept. Oct. Egg. 



1907 20 30 22 24 2 27 21 146 



1908 21 22 26 26 29 17 22 20 29 17 229 



1909 14 18 23 24 24 18 25 16 8 9 179 



1910 16 16 



570 



"From January first '08, to January first, '09, • hen 

 No. 1 laid 229 eggs, hen No. 2 laid 226; they stopped 

 laying October 30th, then in their full moult. Hen No. 

 2 began laying again January eighth, '09, this is their 

 second year; this trio, being two years old last July. In 

 their pullet year No. 1 laid SO eggs in 53 days. No. 2 

 laid 35 eggs in 43 days, following the arrival of after 

 an ocean voyage of 21 days. Breeding pen No. 3 with 

 7 pullets domestic stock, breeding pen No. 4 seven pul- 

 lets domestic stock, the 14 pullets average 209 eggs 

 per year. 



Mr. Kennedy says in his circular, "When I say 

 large white eggs I mean eggs averaging 27 to 30 oz. 

 or over to the dozen, and by lots of them I mean flocks 

 which will average 175 to 200 eggs each in 365 consecu- 

 tive days. 'The hen that lays is the hen that pays,' quite 

 true, but I wish to add that the hen that lays large 

 white eggs and lots of them, pays better." 



A lady in California who has bred Campines for 

 many years writes under date of February 12th, that in 

 July at the age of four months and four days, two 

 pullets began to lay; after moulting began to lay again 

 in November and December. They laid each five eggs one 

 week, six the alternate week. March 12th they were 

 a year old. Out of 17 pullets these were the two best 

 layers. This was a private letter in which she also 

 signals an advantage she finds in the Braekel-Campines, 

 that they finish the moult in 2j4 to 3 months against 

 something like 4 months for Leghorns that wait for the 

 sun before beginning to lay again, while the Braekel- 

 Campines lose no time, but after 8 days' rest begin 

 again. So much for an experience in California. 

 Record of Weight of Eggs 



Mr. Fred L. Kimmey's record of the weight of the 

 eggs laid by the Braekel-Campine hens and pullets ex- 

 hibited at Kansas City and Chicago Shows recently is 

 32"^ ounces to the dozen, an average of 2.7 per egg, or 

 over three-fourths of an ounce over the two ounce mar- 

 ket standard. 



Valuable As Broilers 



The by-products of this breed are turned to good 

 advantage, as superfluous cockerels are considered the 

 best breed for milk chickens. The reasons why are not 

 difficult to see: Being very precocious the sex is dis- 

 tinguished at an early date. The comb is developed 

 before they are in feather, and they crow at a little 

 over three weeks of age. At eight weeks they should 

 weigh eight to ten ounces and bring 40 cents apiece. 

 At three months they are worth hardly IS cents. 



Beautiful As Exhibition Fowl 



Very few will differ from the statement that the 

 Braekel-Campine is a thing of beauty whether you take 

 him in his Belgian Standard dress, appearing (1) on 

 the green fields (at a distance) almost like a Yokohoma 

 with shortened tail, really like a painted bird; or in his 

 English garb, barred from breast to end of tail like 

 his consort, with only one exception — a clean white 

 neck hackle or cape. There is an elegance and finish 



