Brahmas. 
135 
No doubt, the fact of the hen that I selected for pullet-brceding — clear-bodied, etc. — being bred from a 
cockerel-breeding hen accounted for the surprise. This will show that there are at times various things likely 
to upset calculations in breeding the two sexes, but, as a general rule, the hen that possesses a dense black 
stripe in hackle, very grey in under-feather, and with a more or less ticking on cushion, will breed the best 
cockerels, while the hen that is clear-bodied, free from any grey showing in the under-feather, and with good 
hackle, will throw the best pullets. A cockerel well up to Standard requirements, mated with hens as 
described, should breed good specimens of both sexes. In breeding the Darks, I am firmly of the opinion 
that the hens of this beautiful breed are the principal factors in successful breeding, though it is possible to 
breed Show cocks from hens that are worthless as Show birds ; but most certainly excellent Show cocks are 
easier bred from good Show hens, and if these cocks so bred are again mated with Show hens the quality 
becomes more definitely fixed. I have mentioned these points to exhibit which is the best stock to start 
with, as a cock bred from an inferior hen (that is, a hen that is devoid of pencilling), no matter how good he 
may appear, would be of no use whatever to produce pencilling on the pullets bred from him, though he may 
produce an occasional Show cockerel. Touching on the generally admitted fact that it is compulsory to 
have two distinctly mated pens to produce the sexes in any fair proportion of excellence, I quite admit that 
if a breeder gives the whole of his attention to the perpetuation and improvement of either strain, for that is 
what it amounts to, he may, to all appearances, succeed for a time, though the cockerels bred from the 
pullet strain will each generation become more and more mottled on the breast and thighs. It is held that 
these points are necessary in the cocks used for pullet-breeding to produce the exquisite pencilling so 
desired ; but I maintain that if this course is continued, that is, if cockerels bred from such strains are used, 
that the ground colour and pencilling of the pullets will soon become entirely lost, while, on the other hand, 
a good sound black-breasted cock bred from well marked hens will not only perpetuate the soundness of 
ground colour and pencilling in the pullets, but will also retain the purity of feather in the cockerels, and a 
good sound, deep steel-grey, well-pencilled hen will produce the best of cockerels. To sum up, if the 
pedigree of the birds is good, the rule that like produces like will be found an almost absolute certainty in 
breeding Dark Brahmas." 
For the following additional notes we are indebted to Mr. Jas. Gosling, Liverpool Road, Burwood, 
N.S.W., who has met with great success as a Breeder and Exhibitor of the Light Variety. Mr. Gosling 
writes : — 
" I think I can claim to be one of the most successful breeders of Light Brahmas in Australia, birds 
bred by myself or from my strain having won premier honours at Sydney (N.S.W.), Melbourne (Victoria), 
Brisbane (Queensland), Adelaide (South Australia), Perth (AVest Australia), and Dunedin (New Zealand). 
"The variety is one-of the hardiest and most useful breeds of Poultry we have, the chickens being very 
easily reared if kept free from vermin and given plenty of clean sound food, clean water, a fair supply of 
green food, and housed properly. I usually feed the chickens on stale dry bread first thing in the morning, 
then about half-past 7 pollard, at 1 1 o'clock and 3 in the afternoon more pollard, to which has been added a 
little bone meal, and for the last feed at evening good sound wheat. I also find milk to which a little lime 
water has been added excellent if given about twice per week. 
" My greatest difficulty in getting chickens early in the season is on the score of unfertile eggs, though, at the 
same time, chickens hatched in September fairly seem to grow as one watches them. I find, in breeding them 
for Exhibition, that it is difficult to get enough of the black marking in the hackle without this appearing on 
the body also, and also the trouble of obtaining sufficient leg-feathering for exhibition requirements. The 
Light Brahma is a fowl that usually improves up to the second, and sometimes the third, year. I have had 
birds that were not nearly fit enough for exhibition as cockerels, improve so much that they have won as cocks. 
The hens are fairly good layers, good sitters, and splendid mothers, and the breed's table qualities are nearly 
equal to that of the Turkey. I have killed young cockerels which weighed 6^ lbs. when plucked and 
dressed. They are an excellent breed for crossing purposes, generally improving the size and laying qualities 
of most breeds, the cross with the Black Hamburg being one of the very best. The pullets of 
