306 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
Black Leghorns, and leave Minorcas alone. Judges have been greatly to blame in awarding such objects 
prizes, but the majority seem to think that an immense comb was all that was required in a Minorca, totally 
ignoring make, shape, type, and colour. 
" I think we can place the Minorca among the general purpose varieties, or at the least in a sub-class. 
True, they do not incubate, but as layers they have no equal if weight and number of eggs are taken into 
consideration. As toble birds, my experience of them is favourable ; flesh is a good colour, juicy, and fine 
quality, good breast meat, and as they mature so rapidly they are fit to roast at three months old, consequently 
a very profitable Fowl to keep where market birds are desired. Pullets commence to lay between four and 
five months, and thus are a source of profit very early, the cockerels having been realised on some weeks 
previously. Unlike the Leghorns, they are very easily kept within bounds, a 6-foot fence being ample. As 
foragers they are good, ranging well out if at liberty ; small eaters in comparison to their size, and the 
hardiest Fowl I know. Chicks seem to grow independent at a couple of weeks old, and start to look for 
their own keep. If needed to be closely confined in a suburban yard their colour stands well ; dirt does not 
show, and with any reasonable care can always be relied on to look decent and keep the supply of eggs up. 
To prove they will stand confinement well, I append table of results from Mr. Dean Boyd, of Gosford : 
'The average laying of the three Minorca hens bought from 'Wotonga' in June, 1895, was kept up for 
months as follows : In July, 60 eggs ; August 62 ; September, 64 ; October, 62. The size of the yard and 
run was 30 x 8 feet. Feed was principally maize and pollard ; a little green bone and green cabbage once a 
week. 
" Now, colour is a point often overlooked, and many will smile at the idea of colour in a black or white 
Fowl. The undoubtedly true Minorca colour is a sooty black with a purple sheen not beetle-green, as so 
generally supposed, and once the eye is tutored to this colour the green will not be further tolerated. In 
size, well, as large as possible without coarseness, but having always in view to retain the sprightly carriage of 
the breed ; 7 lbs. in hens is a good weight. I have heard of such going 10 lbs., but have not had the luck 
to see them. Cocks, 8 to 9 lbs., if obtainable. One of the chief drawbacks to obtaining size is the early 
laying of the pullets, and the only w^ay to prevent this is to move them from run to run, avoiding stimulating 
foods, Oats and barley I find best, though pullets may be fed more pollard than cockerels, too much soft 
food being apt to cause growth of combs, without a corresponding increase of frame. Lots of room and 
exercise are essential in growing the cockerels, for which a diet composed principally of grain will be found 
the best, and if all reared together they can be kept so until twelve months old if necessary. Never discard 
a cockerel for a fallen or twisted comb. I have seen such grow up into as perfect cornbs as could be wished. 
If allowed to remain too long with the hen, this will often cause a twisted comb. 
"A sound red face is a sine qua non. Many good-faced birds, while young, often show white in face 
with age— cocks more so than hens. AVhy ? I cannot offer an opinion, but I would avoid breeding from 
such birds if possible. Thumb-marks are often found to mar an otherwise good comb, and are to a great 
extent hereditary. With a black Fowl a dark eye and black legs are undoubtedly right. Taking the Minorca 
right through, we may place it as one of the most suitable breeds for Australia, equally at home in extreme 
climates, in the Fancier's yards, closely confined, or at free range on a Farm." 
For the following additional notes on Minorcas we are indebted to the kindness of Mr. F. Norman, of 
Wilson Street, Prince's Hill, North Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria. To use Mr. Nornaan's own words : — 
" My experience of Minorcas must date back fully thirty years, and during that time I have noted 
many changes in the Minorca family. In those days they were a short-legged Fowl, with immense long 
bodies, very full, but close in plumage, large, good combs in both sexes, rare rich red faces, but poor in lobe 
especially. In the cocks the lobes were very small and thin, and in the hens were so small as to be scarcely 
perceptible at a short distance. The lobe was a minor point in those days. Comb, face, and size were the 
order of the day, with big bodies. These birds often weighed from 8 to 10 lbs. each, and we look in vain 
for such birds nowadays. As layers, the hens were not to be surpassed if the size of the egg is taken into 
