THE POULTRY BOOK. 
113 
face before the pullets, the latter rarely getting it in full perfection during the first 
year. But there is considerable uncertainty with regard to the time when this 
much-coveted point of excellence makes its appearance. Some chickens, which 
give little or no promise at first, afterwards display this feature in perfection, wdiile 
others originally more promising disappoint us at maturity. A red fleshy faced 
pullet never, under any circumstances, makes a good-faced hen. The blue-faced 
birds, on the contrary, always show the white face, more or less perfect, as they 
arrive at their full growth. 
Admiral Hornby, formerly a very extensive breeder of this variety, writes as 
follows respecting their general management : — 
I am not aware that the Spanish fowl is liable to any particular disease : it is 
hardy, and but little subject to the roup, that curse of the poultry-yard. I may add 
that I consider the Spanish fowl inferior to Cochins in the number of eggs they lay, 
but superior in the weight laid ; they are smaller consumers, they bear confinement 
as well ; are inferior as nurses and mothers, but superior as table fowl, their flesh 
being white and delicate, although cooks and poultry-dealers dislike their dark 
le^s. Like other fowl, they require frequent change of food, which is conducive 
to health in all fowls. If fed too high, I have found them subject to an eruption 
on the white ear-lobe, which is difiicult to cure. As regards food and feeding, I 
prefer soft to hard food ; but it is my practice to scatter a portion of the latter^ 
daily among straw, a practice which compels the fowls to scratch and look about 
for it, and prevents gobbling and repletion of the crop. Gravel or any coarse sand 
— the former in preference — is indispensable, and the range of a grass field is 
highly conducive to health ; raw meat is, in my opinion, objectionable, although 
many breeders give it. In winter, when w^orms and slugs are not to be had, and 
animal food is required, I prefer a little cooked meat or a bone for them to peck. 
Potatoes or meal, with milk, is capital food. I may add, that more chickens die 
from drinking dirty water than from any other cause. Old birds (hens much more 
so than cocks) sometimes suffer severely in the moult, and if cold weather should 
then come are a long while in getting over it ; but soft and hot food, as bread and 
milk, porridge, a little chopped meat, bread, and ale, with warm lodging, will pull 
them through.” 
Spanish are not so liable to fasciolas or gapes as many other varieties of fowl. In 
common, however, with other slow-feathering breeds, they occasionally suffer from 
cold and wet ; they seldom show any inclination to sit ; and this, combined with 
the circumstance of their being bad incubators, renders them unprofitable as a 
farmer’s breed ; otherwise their numerous large eggs would justly recommend them 
for that purpose. 
Although these birds have many points of merit beyond mere appearance, never- 
theless, considering the manner in which the rural homestead is generally managed, 
they can hardly be strongly recommended to the farmer. All persons agree in 
declaring the old birds to be hardy and vigorous in constitution; and with the 
precautions of warm and dry housing and good food they gener^illy get well through 
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