206 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
Show requirements. I have proved that by mating even coloured birds on both sides that equally as 
large a percentage of good stock, fit for Exhibition, will be produced as from any other breed. I 
readily admit that light-coloured cockerels and dark pullets, and some even quite black pullets are found in 
almost every clutch ; but, then, no one ever found a whole brood of any other variety that were all Show 
specimens. No doubt the Judges, by awarding prizes to very dark cocks and cockerels, encourage, to a great 
extent, the mating of extra dark birds, and this is distinctly responsible for the great percentage of dark 
pullets produced by some strains ; but I have found that by mating a medium-coloured cock to hens not too 
dark in markings I obtain the best results. The Standard requires the feathers to be evenly barred to the 
skin, yet how few Judges ever look below the surface ? The feathers, as shown in illustration (A) are what 
breeders should strive for, because birds with feathers marked in this manner will throw a far greater number 
of Show chickens than those with feathers barred only at the tips, as shown in illustration (B), and white 
near the skin, although this latter marking may look as well in the Show pen, provided the feathers are not 
ruffled, and, in fact, I have at times seen birds which were worthless as breeding stock awarded prizes, while 
evenly marked birds of great value have been unnoticed. Another point of the Standard which is frequently 
overlooked is yellow legs and beaks. To my mind, a good strong pair of clear yellow legs is one of the 
best points in a Rock ; but how often one notices birds winning with but little else but size to recommend 
them, and with dirty and sooty legs and feet ! Who would think of awarding a prize to a White Leghorn 
that had legs more black than yellow ? Yet this is what frequently occurs in the Plymouth Rock classes. 
Dark beaks are, I admit, difificult to ' breed out ; ' but as long as Judges continue to award prizes to cocks 
extra dark in colour, they will be with us. White in ear-lobe is, again, I am sorry to state, not noticed by some 
Judges, although the Standard places this serious defect in the list of disqualifications. 1 strongly advise to 
avoid breeding for the Show pen from any bird which possesses this serious fault. I wish it to be clearly 
understood that the foregoing remarks apply to the breeding of Exhibition stock. Dark females and light 
males are equally as useful for egg-producing and table requirements as their better coloured relatives. Still, 
there is no doubt that even coloured birds look ever so much more attractive, and on this account would be 
better attended to by both the Farmer and householder, who keep a few head to supply the table with eggs, 
and an occasional delicacy in the shape of a young chicken. 
" In giving a few hints on hatching and feeding, the first point to ensure successful hatching is judicious 
mating. A good active cock or cockerel of medium size and of good colour, mated with six or seven 
large-bodied hens unrelated to the cock, will be certain to give good results. As adult hens of this breed are 
inclined to become too fat, the food supply must be carefully regulated. Three parts pollard and one part 
bran, mixed with hot water into a crumbly mass, is quite the best morning food, and vvheat is the best grain 
food to be given in the evening, although during the winter months maize every alternate day can be fed at 
Fig a. 
Fig B. 
