44 COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



writer's tamest pets in the poultry yard were Silver Campines. 

 They haunted the kitchen door for tid-bits, and at the first oppor- 

 tunity would enter the house and beg for food. An English Bull 

 Terrier and these Campines often ate from the same platter at 

 the same time. 



A breed that will show the maximum production at the least 

 expense is the desirable commercial fowl, and on this score the 

 Campine extends her challenge to the world. Not that Campines 

 are necessarily smaller feeders than other breeds of the same size, 

 for they are not; but if given the opportunity they will forage 

 for two-thirds of their food. Furthermore, they will thrive out- 

 doors the greater part of the year, and all year, if the climate is 

 at all temperate. They resemble the guinea in this respect. 



Energy of Campines. — In any kind of weather, rain, wind, heat, 

 and cold, when most other breeds are content to remain snugly 

 indoors, the Campine is abroad, wrestling for its daily keep. In 

 fact, from close observations I have concluded that if a Campine 

 seeks shelter, it is an ill omen, similar to that drawn from the 

 guinea's entering the hen house at night, that a terrific storm is 

 in the making, and that it is high time to make things snug and 

 secure. 



It is always unwise, and sometimes inhuman, to neglect birds 

 or animals of any kind; yet there are various degrees of negli- 

 gence. In most cases where chickens are raised in the backyard 

 or on the farm the owner is unable to devote any more time to the 

 flock than is required by the bare necessities — feeding and water- 

 ing. The point to be emphasized is this: where it is impossible 

 to give frequent attention to the needs and requirements of a 

 flock of chickens, that flock should consist of a breed that is com- 

 petent to shift for itself. The Campine is an ideal fowl for this 

 purpose. Literally speaking, it will thrive where many other 

 birds would starve. 



Redcaps. — ^There is another breed frequently classed as an egg- 

 variety, though it is seldom found in thu poultry yards of this 

 country — the Redcap. This is the modern name for a very old 

 English breed, commonly bred in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Stafford- 



