214 
The I LLUSTRA TED BOOK OF POULTRY. 
number of birds I then had. He did not understand,’ he said, ‘how I could keep them 
healthy. I explained to him the grand secret was cleanliness , with careful and regular feeding. 
My roost-houses were cleaned out every morning, and riddled over with fresh sand and slacked 
lime mixed ; the yards swept out, and fresh sand riddled over every morning, and fresh water 
every day. bor water utensils I always prefer cast iron, left in the rough state, not painted or 
galvanised. My birds were fed as follows : — The old birds twice a day : once with good sound 
malting barley, with occasionally a little Indian corn ; and once a day on scalded barley-meal, with 
any other little alteration of food the appearance of the birds would suggest. Green food once 
a day ; and in winter time, when green food cannot be got, a Swede turnip cut in two is a good 
substitute. The roost-houses were not over-crowded, and properly ventilated, for a quantity of 
birds shut up in a close house produce great heat ; therefore, however cold the weather may be, 
proper ventilation is most important. Proper shelter, in the shape of some kind of outhouse, 
should be provided. Birds do not like to go into their roost-houses out of rain, and frequently 
crouch under any imperfect shelter rather than do so ; and, consequently, get wet and cold, which 
is very injurious in any weather. Wet or fine, Cochins will make great use of good shelter, and 
there is nothing I know of more desirable. Young birds cannot grow if they suffer from cold , 
wet, or great heat of sun.” 
The following remarks by Mr. F. Wragg, whose success as a breeder of this beautiful variety 
has been conclusively proved in the show-pen for many years, will be also valuable as regards 
the choice of parents for breeding stock : — 
“ It is now eighteen years since my fancy for Buff Cochins began, and I have bred them more 
or less ever since ; and having had a fair amount of success as a breeder and exhibitor of this most 
beautiful variety of Cochin, a few remarks on their selection for breeding and for exhibition may 
not be out of place to those who are intending to make Buff Cochins their speciality. 
“ In selecting the cock I should look for the following points : — Comb of medium size, set firm 
on the head, fine in quality, being quite free from side sprigs, perfectly straight and evenly serrated, 
and flowing in a neat curve over the back of the head. Beak short and thick, and well curved, 
being what the fancy call parrot-billed. Wattles rather long, with the ear-lobe hanging on a level 
with the lower edge of the wattles, both being of very fine texture ; general appearance of head 
being very fine. Neck short and powerfully made, and finely curved. Body broad and deep; the 
saddle should be very broad, almost as wide as the shoulders, and from the centre of the back 
should gradually rise to the stern. Breast full and prominent. Thighs short and very strongly 
made ; shanks short and thick, set wide apart ; the body being set well down, and the general 
carriage of the bird being drooping forward gives it a most graceful appearance. When in motion 
and viewed from behind, where the widest view of the bird may be seen the appearance should be 
as round as a full moon. 
“ In selecting the hen, see that she resembles the cock in shape and carriage. She must have a 
small neat comb set low on the head, perfectly straight and evenly serrated ; wattles and ear-lobe to 
match, being very fine and thin ; general appearance of head small, with a knowing look about it ; 
neck short and well arched ; body very square and deep ; breast very full, and carried well forward. 
The cushion, which rises from the middle of the back, should present a beautiful dome-like 
appearance, curving right round the stern, and almost smothering the tail. Thighs short and well- 
formed; shanks short and thick, set wide apart; the body set well down to the hocks; the drooping 
carriage when in motion gives the bird a most captivating appearance. 
“In Buffs there are two shades of colour, one being of a pale delicate buff, the other a rich lemon- 
colour, the latter being the most fashionable. The lemon-coloured cocks, when true in colour, are 
