114 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
tlieir prolonged moult. These requisites, however, are by no means so generally 
afforded to the poultry in the farmer’s yard as they ought to be ; and unless these 
valuable birds receive more attention than is usually bestowed on Barn-door fowls 
w^e could not recommend their being purchased. 
On the other hand, when the poultry are properly housed and fed as they ought 
to be, we have no doubt of Spanish being kept with profit, especially in localities 
where large eggs are in demand. In such a case they will be a valuable addition 
to the poultry-yard. They submit readily to confinement, and with care they 
thrive within narrow limits. Very fair specimens are constantly seen in our 
London mews, which do well and furnish a very good supply of new-laid 
eggs. 
Mr. E. Bond, of Leeds, states — I have myself kept Spanish for many years, 
and though on the whole inclined to assign the palm to the Cochins, I have, 
nevertheless, no intention of giving up my Spanish. The latter are not so easily 
reared in this locality as the former, but I consider them less tender in bringing up 
than the Dorkings ; and when they have reached maturity I perceive no difference. 
They have done well with me here, and there is undoubtedly no variety, taken 
altogether, that presents a more striking appearance. Individually they are hand- 
some, both males and females ; and the lustrous black of tlieir plumage, so strongly 
" contrasting with the white cheek and coral comb, and the uniformity of the whole 
flock, render a good collection of these birds as agreeable a sight as the poultry-yard 
can well produce. 
^‘As to their utility, that must depend upon the requirements of their owner. 
If he seeks for eggs, they are as good, if not better, than any other fowl he can 
keep. True, they do not lay so well in winter as the Cochins, but then their 
eggs are larger, and the desire of incubation does not occupy their time. Believing 
that they will lay as great a weight of eggs in the year as hens of any other 
breed, I should say that no other fowl is better suited to the wants of such 
farmers or cottagers as possess a good sale for eggs. If they live, as I do, near a 
large town, they have this additional advantage, that their flocks never look dirty 
or soiled. 
They are certainly good table fowls ; by some, indeed, they are considered as 
very superior for this purpose. V/ith regard to their consumption of food, I do not 
think that Spanish are at all extravagant in this respect : for anything that will 
keep ordinary fowls v/ill keep them when once they reach maturity. 
^Mn their habits there is nothing peculiar requiring notice ; they are not, it is 
true, so quiet or so disinclined to roam as the Cochins ; but if well fed at home, 
they will not be found to stray far from their walk. Nor are they quarrelsome 
among themselves to a degree that is at all troublesome. As regards management, 
I need only say that what other good birds require will suffice for them. With all 
poultry, in my opinion, a good dry warm roost is half the battle ; and to keep 
the damp away, sand, dry earth, chaff, or anything that is at hand and will effect 
this object, should be spread upon the floor, and frequently changed. 
