CHAPTER V 



GENERAL UTILITY BREEDS 



A NUMBER of breeds of fowls are commonly termed general 

 utility. These are distinguished by their ability to yield 

 both meat of good quality and a goodly number of eggs. 

 They are for dual purposes, we might say, because they 

 perform two different fimctions efficiently (Figs. 45 and 46). 

 They abound on the general farms of the country, and form 

 the characteristic fowl of the small flock grown especially for 

 home use. As a rule, they lay a large number of good-sized 

 eggs during their pullet and yearling period, and after they 

 have ceased to lay eggs, they are killed, and their carcasses 

 bring a good price. They are the type generally demanded 

 for medium and large broilers. They are plump when twelve 

 to fifteen weeks old, and never have the exceedingly large 

 frames characteristic of the meat breeds. If properly man- 

 aged, they lay eggs in all seasons, especially during the fall 

 and winter; but unless carefully fed and managed, they have 

 a tendency to become so fleshy that it checks egg production. 

 Usually the general utility breeds will be found to be a 

 half-way type, between the egg and meat breeds (Fig. 47). 



CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GENERAL UTILITY BREEDS 

 Size and External Appearance. — The fowls of this group 

 are medium in size and weight, on an average running from 

 four to eight pounds. Laying hens usually weigh from five 

 to six pounds. They have abundant plumage, the feathers 

 being much closer than on the egg breeds, but they lack the 

 thick fluff characteristic of the Brahma and Cochin. They 

 have yellow shanks, free from feathers, which is one of their 

 chief merits. All the breeds in this class have full, well- 

 rounded bodies covered with considerable flesh, and their legs 

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