ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 29 



breeders of white fowls agree now that yellow corn feed is a detriment 

 to the pure white plumage, in such fowls as Plymouth Rocks and Coch- 

 ins. In black fowls it don't maice any difference. It is more in the 

 breeding than it is in the feeding, although the feed might affect it to 

 show a slight change. 



Mr. Holmes: What breed do you breed? 



A. Plymouth Rocks. 



Mr. Cohoon: Can you tell anything about the peacock? 



A. Yes sir. 



Q. How old are they before they begin to lay? 



A. 1 can only answer that by saying I have kept peacocks three 

 years now and the young female did not lay last year and she would be 

 three years old this coming sprir-g. I think that would tell you a little. 

 In the young male the tail doesn't show any eyes until three years old 

 and the same would apply to the female. 



Q. How often does he lose his plumage? 



A. Every year. The young male has a white breast like the old hen 

 at first, and the only way you can tell the young male from the young 

 female is by the lower or outside wing feathers; the outside three bein!^ 

 red and brown color. At two years old the young male will show a black 

 or bluish-black breast; the feathers in the back will turn green and some 

 purple and the neck purple and blue, and at three years the tail begins to 

 show its color and the eyes. 



Q. The third year is the first time he loses his plumage? 



A. No, no. Every year he loses his plumage. I have four now and 

 they are just growing their tails, only out one-third of their length. 



Q. Is there any market for the feathers. 



A. I don't know of any. My wife has found a market for them this 

 year. This spring brown feathers are very proper and every girl in Malta 

 has a long brown feather in her hat. 



