276 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



In describing these breeds and varieties it is the intention tq 

 give only a general statement of their appearance and character- 

 istics. For a description sufficiently detailed to enable one to 

 breed exhibition specimens it will be necessary to refer to the 

 American Standard of Perfection, a book published by the Amer- 

 ican Poultry Association, which is the guide by which all the 

 poultry shows in the United States are judged. 



The Plymouth Rock 



The Plymouth Rock has been for years the most popular 

 breed in the United States. The Barred Plymouth Rock was 

 the original variety and was developed in the United States, 

 various lines of blood being used in the making. It is prob- 

 able that the Dominique, the Black Cochin, the Black Java, the 

 Brahma, and the Pit Game were used for this purpose. The 

 size and type or shape of all the varieties of Plymouth Rocks 

 are supposed to be identical. In general the breed may be de- 

 scribed as a good-sized, rather long-bodied chicken, with fairly 

 prominent breast and good depth of body, showing when dressed 

 a well-rounded, compact carcass. This breed has a single comb 

 and yellow legs, bill, and skin. The standard weight of cocks 

 is 9^ pounds; of hens, 7^ pounds; cockerels, 8 pounds; pul- 

 lets, 6 pounds. They are layers of good-sized, brown-shelled 

 eggs, and are reputed especially as winter layers. 



The Barred Plymouth Rock is by far the most popular 

 general-purpose or farm fowl. This variety has so long been 

 a favorite with the general public that the barred color is gen- 

 erally associated with quality in table fowls. The Barred Ply- 

 mouth Rock plumage is a grayish white, each feather of which is 

 crossed by dark bars which are almost black. It is desired that 

 these bars should be as even in width, as parallel, as straight, 

 and as well carried down to the skin as possible. Each feather 

 should end with a narrow, dark tip. The barring in the hackle 

 and saddle is narrower than in other sections. The alternating 

 dark and light bars give a bluish cast or shade to the general 

 color, which should be even throughout the surface. It is com- 

 mon for solid black feathers or feathers which are partly black 

 to occur in practically all strains in this variety, but this should 

 not be taken as a sign of impure breeding. Black spots are also 



