POULTRY AND POULTRY FARMING. The term "poultry" (from "poult," Fr. poulet, dim. of poule, a fowl) is usually regarded as including not only fowls but other domesti cated birds kept for the sake of their flesh or eggs. They may be classified into the following main categories I) Fowls for egg production; (2) Fowls for meat production; (3) Ducks for egg and meat production; (4) Geese for meat production only; (5) Turkeys for meat production ; (6) Guinea fowl for meat produc tion.
The first group, which is easily the most important, may be divided into two distinct races, viz., Asiatic or sitting varieties, and Mediterranean or nonsitting varieties. The Asiatic varieties are larger and heavier in body and are often claimed to excel in hardi ness, thus befitting them for winter egg production. This type of fowl thrives better than any other in exposed districts, and the laying records of some of the best known breeds prove their ability in this direction during winter. In the summer much time is often wasted in broodiness, but this does not always prevent good strains from producing high records. Speaking generally, however, the Asiatic breeds cannot be regarded as good layers; they are usually flesh-producing birds, and the game varieties are included in this group. They also differ in their general character istics, especially in structure and type of comb, colour of earlobe and flesh. Another noticeable feature in regard to this type of fowl is the shell-colour of the egg, which is usually a shade of brown. In the Mediterranean or nonsitting breeds hardiness is not so pronounced, size and weight are less, and there are differ ences in head-points, body-shape, and shell-colour of egg, which is almost invariably white.
Leghorns.—This group includes a number of varieties, many of which are of no practical use to the poultry keeper. The White Leghorn is by far the most popular followed by Blacks and Browns, the latter being just useful layers, but in demand for sex-linkage work. Whites are kept in large numbers by commer cial egg farmers, and there is no doubt that this variety deserves the position it so ably fills. Blacks are increasing in numbers, but there is not the demand for this variety that might be expected.
Anconas, or Mottled Leghorns as they are sometimes called, deserve a higher place in the egg producing world, but for some reason are not favoured by breeders. For egg production only the Leghorn is pre-eminent ; growth is rapid, early maturity is assured, and the cost of rearing and maintaining a flock is lower than with most breeds.
La Bresse.—This breed, especially the white variety, is making headway. They have an advantage over Leghorns in respect of the value of the cockerels as table birds, both in their pure state and when crossed with other breeds.
Wyandottes are the most popular of the sitting breeds, and the second most popular breed amongst egg producers and general poultry keepers. There is only one variety in general favour and that is the White, although Blacks, Buffs, Silvers and Part ridges are bred. In the White Wyandotte we find the excellent qualities necessary in a good layer, plus many of the good points essential in a table fowl. It is in fact one of our best dual pur pose breeds, and although it has some bad points, one can easily overlook these in favour of other sterling qualities. As a layer of large numbers of eggs,—many of which are produced in winter,— as a table fowl, or for crossing purposes, it has few equals.
Rhode Island Reds, although not as popular as Wyandottes, rank high in the estimation of many poultry keepers. Good strains will produce large numbers of eggs, and their winter laying quali ties are difficult to surpass. Broodiness during summer is very pronounced, and more difficult to break than in the case of the Wyandotte. Colour is also difficult to maintain in the utility flocks, and this tends to give many birds a mongrel look. All breeds have their good and bad qualities, and the Rhode Island is no exception. The pullets develop quickly and lay at an early age, but the cockerels are slower growing, and do not fatten so readily as Wyandottes. The breed is very useful for crossing pur poses, and can be used with success with Leghorns or heavy breeds like Wyandottes and Sussex. It is popular for sex-linkage, the males when mated to Light Sussex producing a very fine win ter layer, whilst the cockerel chicks develop into fine table birds, taking on the colour of the female, and the pullets the colour of the male.