462 



A HTVBY OF FARM ANIMALS 



Standard weights vary, but 7 pounds for the hens and 9 for 

 the cocks are satisfactory. Fowls of the general-purpose 

 type, as a rule, belong to the American breeds, of which 

 the Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, and Rhode Island Red are 

 the most common examples. 



The breeds and varieties of fowls include a large num- 

 ber of wide difference, ranging from the tiny Bantam to the 

 large and heavy Brahma. The breed characters of form, as 

 applied to head, body, and legs, are rather distinct in each 



case. The variety charac- 

 teristics are usually shown 

 in color of feathers, though 

 there may be other special 

 features, such as single or 

 rose comb. The Plymouth 

 Rock, for example, in- 

 cludes six varieties; name- 

 ly, (1) barred, (2) white, 

 (3) buff, (4) silver pencil- 

 ed, (5) partridge, and (6) 

 Columbian. The follow- 

 ing very brief descriptions 

 of some of the leading 

 breeds in America, in- 

 clude the more important 

 representatives of each. 

 The Plymouth Rock originated in America, and is of 

 medium size. The head is surmounted by a single, upright 

 red comb, and the ear lobes and wattles are also red. The 

 neck is broad, breast full and wide, back broad, and body 

 compact. Beak, legs, toes, and skin should be yellow in 

 color. This breed is hardy and matures early, furnishing 

 excellent broilers when eight to twelve weeks old. The hens 

 are moderate layers, the eggs being of a brown color. This 

 is a sitting breed, and the hens make excellent mothers. 



Figure 217. — Barred Plymouth Rock cock- 

 erel, 1st prize at Indianapolis. Photograph 

 from Poultry Herald. 



