54 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



The breeds are for convenience both subdivided and 

 grouped. The subdivisions are called varieties, while the 

 groups are referred to as classes. There are two varietal 

 distinctions, namely, comb shape and plumage color. Either 

 one or both may be present. Thus, the Rose Comb Rhode 

 Island Red differs from the Single Comb Rhode Island Red 

 only in comb shape. The White Wyandotte differs from the 

 Buff Wyandotte only in color, while the Single Comb White 

 Leghorn differs from the Rose Comb Brown Leghorn in 

 both comb and color. They are members of the same breed, 

 however, because they approach very closely the same type 

 or shape. The common saying among poultrymen that 

 "shape makes the breed, and color and comb the variety" 

 is an accurate statement of the case. 



For the more common breeds of chickens the class grouping 

 is based on similar general characteristics and place of origin. 

 The Brahma, Cochin, and Langshan together comprise 

 the Asiatic class. They have all come to us from or through 

 Asia and are birds of large size, having feathered shanks, 

 red earlobes, frequently becoming broody, and laying a dark 

 brown egg. The Leghorns, Minorcas, Anconas, Andalusians, 

 and Spanish, which comprise the Mediterranean class, all 

 seem to have originated around the Mediterranean Sea. 

 They are all nervous, active birds, stylish, and sprightly 

 in appearance, somewhat lacking in the brooding instinct 

 and are layers of white eggs. They are comparatively small 

 in size and carry white earlobes. 



The breeds which comprise the American class are the 

 familiar Phymouth Rock, Wyandotte, and Rhode Island 

 Red, and the less familiar Java, Bjackeye, and Dominique. 

 These breeds were developed in America through a judicious 

 blending of Asiatic and Mediterranean blood lines followed 

 by rigid selection. In most characteristics they fall about 

 half way between the two general types from which they arose. 



The grouping of breeds of chickens into classes may have 

 no other basis than that of convenience or, as in the case 

 of the "miscellaneous" class, which is composed of three 

 rather curious breeds, namely. Silkies, Sultans, and Frizzles, 

 because they do not seem to fit anywhere else. 



