34 The Hen at Work 



the leading American strains as egg producers, 

 they do lay a generous number of large, attractive 

 brown eggs. 



The special importance, however, of the Light 

 Brahma is its quality as a meat producer. As now 

 bred, the cocks will weigh over twelve pounds, and 

 the hens frequently ten pounds. They are the 

 largest of all the breeds, are hardy, very quiet, put 

 on flesh easily and rapidly, and have little tendency 

 to wander. A four-foot fence will restrain them. 



For making heavy broilers at eight or ten weeks 

 of age, no other fowl can beat them. They are not 

 again in shape for table fowl till well matured, as 

 they begin to develop the bony structure more 

 rapidly than the flesh at about the tenth week. 

 In the late fall, however, when the holidays ap- 

 proach, these birds bring fancy prices and big 

 totals. The sight of one well browned, on a blue 

 platter, will easily explain the reason why. 



Dark Brahmas weigh about a pound less than 

 the Light Brahmas, and are shaped somewhat 

 Uke Cochins, probably originating in a cross be- 

 tween Light Brahmas and Cochins. Although not 

 frequently seen in small flocks, the Dark Brahmas 

 are grown by many who cater to the fancy market 



