THE POULTRY BOOK. 
47 
in the height of summer, whether we view them as matters for sale in general 
market or simply for home consumption ; therefore, the advantages to be attained 
by production of eggs in winter will be easily acknowledged, and need not be further 
insisted on. I am convinced there is very little even if any difference respecting 
the productiveness of the different varieties of Cochins as to their colours ; my own 
impression being that prolificacy depends more upon the quantity and quality of 
their plumage, and the consequent general warmth of their bodies during inclement 
seasons, than on the colour of the plumage. The reason why some Cochins lay 
so much better than others is, that those that most abound with ‘ fluff,’ as it is 
termed, or downy covering towards the roots of the feathers, are comparatively 
less influenced by sudden changes in the atmosphere, and consequently their 
laying is unimpeded. I have noted, as a rule without exception, that diminution 
of plumage, and a scanty, ‘ weedy ’ build, is always accompanied with propor- 
tionate decrease in the number of eggs produced. 
I am confirmed in this opinion from the fact that the best layers of Cochin 
fowls I ever yet met with were white — a colour generally reputed by those who 
keep any kind of livestock as being the most weakly in constitution. They were 
the fowls with which I obtained the first prize, or silver medal, for Cochins, at the 
Birmingham Poultry Exhibition in December, 1853. They were most extraordi- 
nary fowls as to the superabundance of ‘ fluff,’ 
‘‘As with all other poultry, Cochins will not lay freely if excessively over-fed. 
Extreme fatness in all domestic animals always counteracts productiveness ; and 
Cochin hens have a tendency to increase greatly in weight, from internal fatness, 
as long as they live. There is still another and far more cogent reason why 
Cochin fowls should not be unwarrantably forced by over-feeding. They are 
peculiarly prone to apoplexy ; and, although I attribute many of the complaints 
that we hear of so constantly under this head to the folly of endeavouring to 
force nature beyond endurance, purposely to increase size only, it is equally certain 
that, in many instances, this has occurred where it could not have resulted from 
other than natural tendencies. 
“ Although the largest variety of domestic fowls, they endure the privations 
attendant on really close confinement better than any others ; but, in all cases, 
they must be supplied with full abundance of green food, or they soon become 
ragged in their feathers, and their general constitution suffers proportionably. 
Whilst I unhesitatingly admit the superior advantages of the largest-sized birds 
in the exhibition pen, providing all other points are equal, long and carefully- 
managed trials prove, most decidedly, that birds of moderate size are the most 
prolific, whether we consider the number of eggs laid or their subsequent fertility. 
It is best to breed from fowls a little darker in colour — more particularly the cock 
bird — than the chickens you are anxious to procure, as they generally ‘ breed 
lighter.’ From my own experience, I am of opinion that the male bird has most 
influence on the colour of the chickens, and that in form and general character- 
istics they usually follow the female parent. To do well, the young growing 
