A yd PLILP Lt ne eo POS ann SH Tanaris HAA L G ocr ai HeLa aL SHiT a oa aeicauan ui sis be cRNA A sins Hanis a SS nt MASE Ht MAMAN TLL ini erat i yi TENT iti aoe eaaley PERE AL Saree nieit) | Oo bey CRM SDURT otis SOA STO Reser ety crear iv. eT) Reena Se JRE Cre ot atte rauiiveteameeterrmerenc ie ie ena aes eH tyra Bae Pcl aeleacle deh Pierre bk ee ahead at A Ca i eee nae ee vs sree Ra fica g CoC aac tenarneteet in erkoe Pin eerie ache satante Ne art eect a A: bestia Aelita armors 5 aia BAe pecatitey or So ics cian este sees i ec acon aioe y fi Pathan are ert ae LUI ee nea spa iegrioee fella a Pi t Cee Sie et malrrirks A Mia anette Unter Goaighnd byt ges oe h reat Pertti: i hive taf ater aerate amnlan bane denirarenergeeren te re Site Bape eco Sones peta tastosre eames aeons a eae se Roa ane tL * Lhe tet . rie act abe ey MMC ahaa ate eet Rereteyicteranrt Te aes Rie enna at A eesti) pairs * 4 7 aac one a ear a startin laude iki poe bode seb : Pioms tie Haire ay : ee pret othi it meee Nt nn eae Pow ne tyre arate -s S acca ena panes ‘ viabyat ahd tbat Ba tir pitt atts o ee emanate ; Rat Si ee PLA HLT Man ncAeSS inane ry ol to Beene ei eiaah act kite fet ire Trait (Soha oy te Leer ee ™ Pin Behe a 7 Soe ise ET ees aa ne eet etn lett Sedat ate ore aie Sapte irechuet ihe ae cham rele ces Sather i iekaas ome ee ran prs reat ena ae ete ba a RAN tert a lw Ris aabheae Ne EA RTO ee Pun tia em te merece lege ar M Hoel reeled Seth iH fodiens ererittaee a ame ath a ese pa Marit iene s a g pa aire ek mene Seduce mente arand me Pasa bg Set SOI tc res ease aM cists 5 A pu eae hed Che aia ay o era et cee i : y aye orth pete Sana tt ea Si pein igs Vile as ns Ware Tan Nase ene Un ue ate RL blade e dase sere ae " ; ida) Mau vate ae ete ar ale rel LET pbeeebialcaad ci Maen PERE ACOA fa ptt rey #4 | rs caer # ee ie 5 ey r g We hg the aM nag git Pa atest DAR n OT emt LS On aie) ede pia nae ee q baler . Whe , AP toe ee alate Taye ee ane tect ws oe ‘ o ROS ant eee HOA Titties os on aeons sie cecokar enya steed tpi ghee tot H vi soa Wa 2 rn ne Mert i ot ee SIPS he don te ca site USER se eae ty mr PA Itt that teat freaest pe et OE NT Se pl Acs a h tet o y % Vy , i “ mS oa eT aU hu) * Ofertas eae ever ae BA a} Nate hend SOE ST CA RUA tas Wa ELC vat} x) “ahh Tahoe hare fe hh ay pa ade ate tes Pier reerk te ie Laie aneabas wave re “ : AGG MES sete: § 43 Hae ba sh uy Area Hs 5 a Mate ara So iain arta ST eae ee cts yaa aes Lee any in " en i re pearie aa ats Gen ecinice Pease Sia ceneaed AST r "i n ‘ " He pal . cr) one nthnaittemte on Paes ae eet tac 0 ‘a Ly a A aby . HW “f Preat rs ea} Sait r 4 . bh tks hee ad M4 aS f 7 5 ‘ Sark Cue "4 els : wae wae \ rm ‘ Lyd vi a $ Dave PRL Y) Sat af * . % Sein rete hates a arr , ree a rh aah mite i 7 patie Sib aaa L. peewee os ene ens r P a aay AE LRPeL een NTish rsh taht maT anne NT) i proach tiny tactearteh pemniocks Seer a es +. \ i. Wj o yy! heat ath oy eRe U si by Plath Deke ale anh Uy a bul tan KIER ht prt i Eh Deal Dede Suite tr oa rt : . aoa P : ‘i Leica Aan Ss ‘ 5 4) ea re Pate iy Li Set cae « an a x Ty i i" ~ J My Aicwry ean ne : iY " 1¢ | gy: alate n A a art 4 a iifen t hae PH " eee ste Reus ( } wich } Clee i eee a et ih ete Fire fH ay 1h et pt ties soy gi pcre! (Fe ha a ie ov we Rib e ee i el eet oe ad ee oe es r alan ft rei it Mf; bly Reith thee anni ct MEN eee eat aH notte Netty if Ba Perri ns y Mie A eae ar Breuer A aH ay f ite vy a hi f a MN soitdnee a ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY NEw YorK STATE COLLEGES OF AGRICULTURE AND HoME ECONOMICS AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY Cornell University Library SF 489.W9D7 Standard-bred Wyandottes, silver, golden I 3 1924 003 077 538 nam VAS PRL Ly =e ee — ee ee SILVER L CEDs GOL WHITE. b BL ; SILVE <9 : BUFF PARTRIDGE, D, COLUMBIAN. eS] RELIABLE. POULTRY JOURN ) PUBLISHING COMPANY 7 QVINCY-ILL USA, a Rx S = Ss tt =— mh oe Yet Sa yn Ze — eS SJ an _— ws = OR At Gonfell University SILVER LACED WYANDOTTES From a painting by Franklane L. Sewell of a pair of Modern Silver Laced Wyandottes owned and bred by Henry Steinmesch STANDARD-BRED WYANDOTTES SILVER, GOLDEN, WHITE, BUFF, PARTRIDGE, BLACK, SILVER PENCILED AND COLUMBIAN Their Practical Qualities; The Standard Requirements; How to Judge Them; How to Mate and Breed for Best Results, with a Chapter on New Non- Standard Varieties / J. H. DREVENSTEDT, Epiror CONTRIBUTED TO BY THE BEST KNOWN AND MOST EXPERT BREEDERS AND JUDGES IN AMERICA FULLY ILLUSTRATED Text and Illustrations are Based on the Requirements: of the 1910 Edition of the American Standard of Perfection PRICE, ONE DOLLAR PUBLISHED JOINTLY BY Reliable Poultry Journal Publishing Company, Quincy, Illinois AND ‘ American Poultry Publishing Company, Buffalo, New York Copyright by RELIABLE PouLttry JouRNAL PuBLISHING Co. 1910 @as4 at INTRODUCTION |HIS BREED BOOK, devoted to the Wyandotte race of domestic poultry, cannot fail to be of immediate and lasting value to one of America’s two greatest achievements in behalf of Poultry Culture. America has given the world the two most popular and, as we believe, the two most valuable breeds of general purpose fowls, the Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes. In one important respect at least, the Wyandottes have outstripped their great rivals, namely, in number of varieties, both standard and non-standard. There are today eight standard and seven non-standard varieties of the Wyandottes, as compared with four standard and five non-standard varieties of the Plymouth Rocks. ; This book aims to give the true origin of the Wyandotte breed of fowls and of every standard variety of the breed; also a correct description, profusely illustrated, of Wyandotte type and the feather markings of all standard varieties. The well-known utility values of the breed are fully set forth by competent writers, including the excellence of the Wyandottes at all marketable ages as prime table poultry and their remarkable ability as egg-producers. More time, labor, and funds have been expended in the preparation and publication of this work than on any other breed book of poultry compiled and published heretofore. Several thousand: dollars were invested in research, in copy making, in oil paintings and other art work before any part of the book was put in type. The work as a whole does hot satisfy us and further improvement will be made in later editions, but it is the best book by long odds that thus far has been given to the public devoted to any single breed of standard fowls. Special attention may well be directed to the more important features of this edition. The art work, in the main, is by Franklane I. Sewell, which means that it is the best the world to date has afforded, because Mr. Sewell, as a correct delineator of standard-bred poultry, simply has no superior inthis or anyother country. He stands pre-eminent today, as he has for more than a decade, as the world’s premier poultry artist. ‘The thorough and artistic work of Mr. Sewell in illustrating his text in the chapters contributed by him is a monument to his ability, both as an artist and a fancier. Exceptional value should also be credited to Mr. Sewell’s full page charts of Wyandottes showing correct shape and standard feather patterns. The work of F. W. Proctor, compiler and author of the chapters, ‘‘History of the Origin of Wyandottes,’’ and ‘‘Science of Color in Breeding Wyandottes,’’ is especially commendable, ‘these two chapters being of encyclopedic value. The contributions of D. E. Hale and the pictures of artists A. O. Schilling and I. W. Burgess are of importance to the work. Gratéful acknowledgment is also due the many expert breeders of Wyandottes who have given our editors: and artists their intelligent and hearty support by contributing reliable information on the different varieties. Last, but by no means least, the special thanks of all admirers and breeders of the Wyandottes are due the editor-in-charge, Mr. Drevenstedt, for the loyal and especially competent service he has rendered their favorite breed by his painstaking labor, based on a quarter of a century of experience as a breeder and judge’ of Wyandottes and as a writer who has championed their cause with consistent ‘fidelity through all the years since he first began breeding Wyandottes in 1884. Suffice it to say that a better man for this work could not have been selected, nor one to whom the task would have been more agreeable, more welcome. The sincere wish of the undersigned is that this new and much enlarged edition of ‘‘The -Wyandottes”’ shall prove of genuine value to the breed in particular and to Poultry Culture in general, _ GRANT M. CURTIS. Buffalo, N. Y., December Ist, 1909. ‘adA} BUIYeIG a4} JO Suleq yoeq Ul JYSTeNs pue Suol 00} aie iYSII Vy} 0} Sayeurey oy} {edA} UT JUSTIOAOIdUIT MOYS OSTS 1Je] 94} 0} S2TBUIEy oY} Pue aTVeul su ‘]7e} pue Yyoou Jo AO[OO UL apeUL JUIUIAAOIdWI years oy} Sulmoys solewajz pue sew ‘ued ouy A[QvyIeuIel WY ‘LOGI ‘HJOA MON ye uad aziud jSaty soyopuBs M4 Werquinjo9 CHAPTER | The History of Wyandotte Origin The Following Purports to be a Correct, Though Condensed History of the Origin of the Wyandotte Breed of Domestic Fowls, a Breed that now Consists of Eight Standard and Six Non-Standard Varieties and is Gonceded to be a Close Rival of the Plymouth Rocks for the Distinction of Being America’s Most Valuable Addition to the Numerous Race of Thorough-Bred Poultry F. W. Proctor Epitor's Nore:—In this chapter are to be found the results of a painstaking effort to discover and permanently record the true history of the origin of the Wyandotte Breed of domestic fowls, including the reproduction of early-day illustrations which indicate the sources of the breed and the progress made in its development. This history of Wyandotte origin was published in full, with illustrations, in the August 1907 issue of the Reliable Poultry Journal, Quincy, IIl,, accompanied by an editorial note read- ing as follows: ‘We urgently request all interested readers of this article to direct our attention to any errors or omissions in Mr. Proctor’s treatment of the subject, so that this historical chapter can be corrected and made complete before it is published in per- manent form in the first edition of the forthcoming breed book devoted to the Wyandottes. If itis your belief that Mr. Proctor is in error in his statement, in any particular, or is wrong in his conclusions, please advise us, to this effect at your early convenience and give us the sources of your information, or the reasons tor your belief. Our object, in this connection. is to prepare and pre- serve a true history of the origin of this highly important breed—to put the facts in permanent shape for the use of posterity—ana we respectfully solicit the valued assistance of all breeders and admirers of the Wyandottes, the world over.”"—One reply only was received to this request, consisting of an interesting contribution from the pen of Mr. A. H. Sturtevant, Jr., Alabama, which appears in full at the close of the main part of this chapter, together with Mr. Proctor’s comments on the points raised and new matter presented by Mr. Sturtevant. For a history of the origin of each variety of the Wyandotte breed, see introduction to sep- erate sections of this work that are devoted to the fourteen distinct varieties.] HE history of the Wyandotte is a record of mistaken identity of breeds which com- posed it, of perversions of facts by persons actively opposing its recognition, and lack of care in research upon the part of writers. As regards the claim set forth in its early days that it was a hastily- made breed, there is evidence that the Wyandotte is a survival, little changed during a brief period of crossing, from a former well- fixed type. Upon the one side there was the negative statement of a party avowedly unfavorable, as con- trasted with several whose testimony-is most positive, that they personally owned and bred these early Wyan- dottes. The chain of evidence is completed by the published statements of several breeders to whom we owe their introduction and early popularity, conclusively establishing their lineage with this older family. As in many similar cases witL our popular breeds, the Wyandotte has probably received fresh accessions of blood at various times since its early beginnings. Rather than dogmatically assert what is, and what is not true, as to Wyandotte ancestry, we are interested to trace the breed historically, and especially to set forth in their true light the joint claims to origination of the Wyan- dotte made by the two pioneer breeders, both of whom are now living, though in advanced years. Their state- ments should assuredly be ‘accredited above those of theorists. The treatment of this question hitherto has been marked by narrow partisanship, by misconceptions that have persistently survived from early misstatements as to their origin, and, upon the part of recent writers, by a misunderstanding of the plainly worded statements of the originators of the breed. A brief survey of two types of fowls associated with the origin of the Wyandotte is essential to a compre- hensive grasp of the subject. At that period there was a looseness of terms applied to poultry and this tends to render present understanding uncertain. However, by reference to cuts of that day, helped by verbal descrip- tions, we are able to outline fairly well the types used. First we have the Chittagongs (Fig. 2). From a period antedating our first knowledge of the Shanghai, or Cochin, from China, the Malay had been a favorite for -establishing size and the stock thus produced was com- monly confused with the Malay under the common name Chittagongs. Happily, in this instance, the evidence in the form of text and illustrations is ample to outline distinctly the Chittagongs of our subject. This fowl bore little outward resemblance to the Malay, though always of large proportions. The accompanying cut (Fig. 2) is re- printed from Tucker’s “Annual Register” (Albany, 1861). Doyle’s ‘Illustrated Book of Poultry,” published at Phila- delphia about the year 1850, refers to the Chittagongs as “asually brown or yellow, and sometimes aimost black.” Bement’s “American Poulterer’s Companion” (New York, 1856) says: “The Chittagongs are strongly sus- pected to be a cross between the Malay and Dorking. They are usually penciled or spangled in plumage, but they have been occasionally seen with a mixture of yel- low or brown upon the feathers.” A detailed account of this variety may be found in Bennett’s “Poultry Book” (Boston, 1850), which contains an individual portrait of a hen then recently sold by a Philadelphia breeder to a man residing near Boston (Fig. 3). The context says: “The portrait is presented here on account of the peculiar merits of this particular speci- men. She is of the Brown Chittagong variety, her plumage being of a yellowish brown, with the feathers tipped with black, producing a spotted appearance. She has five toes on each foot. This individual is undoubtedly the largest hen in America, weighing thirteen pounds and four ounces.” The career of this now forgotten fowl is curiously interwoven with one of our surviving breeds. The fancier of wide reading is familiar with the controversy, about the middle of the last century, over the origin of the Brahma. Theorists wrangled at length over the sub- ject, but it was proved conclusively by Geo. P. Burnham, the original introducer of Light Brahmas, that the blood of these Brahmas was a composite of Shanghai (or Cochin) and the Chittagong—and this same Chittagong plays a leading role in Wyandotte origin. If we cast about for possible sources of the pea-comb and the THE WYANDOTTES peculiar over-arching brow of the Brahma, we are at a loss to account for these features from any other source. Indeed, the probability is strongly in favor of the Dark Brahma being purely a selection for type out of these same Chittagongs. Burnham’s first exportation of the Dark variety to England, as told by him in his book, A PAIR OF ‘“CHITTAGONGS Fig. 2—Wyandotte History. The Chittagongs were to the poultryman of a half century ago what the Asiatics are today—the ultra-large type, and by their advayce in size upon common fowls of that early day they attracted much attention. ‘The name Chittagong disappeared when the Brahmas and Cochins became known, but their blood was transmitted and still exists in some of our modern breedsa, “The New Poultry Book” (1871), referring to the male’s eolor, so far from being identical with the Dark Brahmas of today, “were not black-breested,” so he informs us. but “were dark mottled gray, and the neck and outer wing: feathering was silvery white.’ He further states that “in other respects they were like the Light Brahmas in form, ete.” In this light, considering the Dark Brahma and Wyandotte as having a common blood heritage from the Chittagong, we may perceive the un- fairness of statement which later assigned to the Wyandotte a derivation from the Dark Brahma. Ad- mitting the claim that the Chittagong was comprised originally of Malay and Dorking, we have accounted for the Wyandotte’s tendency to a small comb from its Malay’ blood, also the pea-comb, which was bred by some of the early breeders. The Chittagong also fully accounts for the feather-legged tendency. Conflicting Accounts Arose When the Wyandotte had finally taken its place among our favored breeds, and the public began to con- sider the distribution of honors, conflicting accounts arose as to the breed’s makeup. In priority of con- tinuous systematic breeding toward this type the first name upon the roster is that of John P. Ray,- of Hemlock, N. Y., formerly of Honeoye, same state. Early attention to this stock was attracted by means of a cut originally published in the Rural Home for January, 1873. (Fig. 4.) It having been critically urged that the resemblance between this cut and our present day Wyandottes is too remote to establish a claim of origin, it should be con- sidered that its crudeness of execution is such as to justify the opinion that the picture did poor credit to the actual quality of the live specimens. In common with the Chittagongs from which they were in part derived, they were lightly feathered on the legs. Allow- ing for manifest defective art, the conformance to our modern standard is marked. Observe the tail, which ‘is “short, well-spread at base.” ‘fhe comb is Wyandotte in type. The artist evidently labored to suggest the char- acteristic silver laced plumage, which is broadly sug- gested rather than clearly defined. If one squints at this picture through nearly closed eyelids, a striking effect is produced. Excepting the too high a light on the female’s breast, and faulty wing-coverts upon the male, the con- formance to type grows the more we study it—a decided lead over those dark birds which became the fad at a later period. Despite their apology for a name, these “Sebright Cochins” were undeniably Wyandottes, out of consideration both of their type and their early estab- lished historical connection with the later Wyandottes. Large Silver Sebrights An element of mystery now enters into the case in the shape of a fowl of which we have no picture, nor any historical account of its origin, but there is plenty of evidence as to its former existence and the part it played in Wyandotte origin. In order to correct a garbled account of statements made by himself, contained in the United States Government Report of the Bureau of Animal Industry for 1901, John P. Ray contributed to the New York Tribune Farmer for March 3, 1904, a lengthy paper upon the “Origin of the Wyandotte.” In this article, Mr. Ray refers to this non-standard breed, which had been locaily known as the “Silver Sebright.” The natural presumption that a stranger to the existence of. such a fowl would construe references to it as meaning the, Bantam of that name, is borne out by experience, this error having persisted from first to last. Mr. Ray says of these “Silver Sebrights” that they were not “‘bantams, A “CHITTAGONG”- HEN Fig. 3—Wyandotte History: This old-time wood-cut bears the marks of pains taken by the artist and engraver to present both the shape and color pattern of the Chitta oe A hen to weigh ‘about thirteen pounds among even our Brahmas of today. would be regarded as a wonder for size. To the best of our knowledge this is the type used by Mr, J. P. Ray in his early eross, which produced the W: i Sa ae yandotte, and is also closely related to but a fowl as large as the Wyandotte.” At this period (1872) the “Silver Sebright” was being kept about Sandy Hill, Washington County, N. Y., and by the late H. M. Doubleday, of Victor, N. Y., and by others in his vicinity, also by William R. Pitts, Honeoye, N. Y. But we have no knowledge that any of this blood enters into the Wyan- THE WYANDOTTES 1 dotte, except in the case of Mr. Doubleday’s flock. Referring still to these large fowls—not bantams—Mr. Ray presents a letter from H. M. Doubleday, bearing date September 23, 1897, from whom he had secured a pair of “Silver Sebrights” in 1872, which letter reads as follows: 1 . Padelfords, N. Y., Sept. 23, 1897. Mr. John P, Ray, Hemlock, N. Y. Dear Sir: Answering your inquiries, will say that I removed from Sandy Hill, N. Y., to Farmington in the year 1866. I brought a trio of “Silver Sebrights” with me. These, I believe, were the original and only ones brought to Western New York. These birds I purchased of a man by the name of Van Schork, who got his stock in the town 1 ) of Easton, N. Y. ! = 1 li Z This breed of fowls | Se Wt) ere I believe to have y [ been a foreign or imported bird. They were similar in characteristics to the Silver Wyan- dottes of today, ex- cept in color. They i were chocolate-col- y ored where the Wy- andotte is black. * They were chiefly rose-combed, though occasionally a single “72 comb appeared = Some were slightly sm: feathered on the “= leg; the cocks had the wing bars of the Wyandottes of today, of which you know better than any other man that they constituted three-quarters of the original blood of which the Wyan- «a dotte was made. I have no knowledge of their having Dark Brahma or Hamburg cross, and do not believe that they had such crosses, as I never saw a blue leg or vulture hock among them, which must have appeared had they possessed these bloods. 3 I recall selling you a pair of chicks (your selection) in the fall of 1872. I was well acquainted with the Chit- tagongs, which were essentially the Golden Wyandottes of today, and which constituted the cross of which you made the Wyandotte. Hoping that some day the public will accredit you with the honor which is due you of originating the Wyandotte breed, I am. Sincerely, H. M. DOUBLEDAY. True Origin of Silver Wyandoites From Mr. Doubleday’s description of the “Silver Sebright,” as above set forth we have a breed which pos- sessed but a single trait to distinguish them from Wyan- dottes in color, viz., their ground color of brown. The theoretical advantage of the cross of these “Silver Sebrights” with the Chittagongs would be the union of two characteristics of color, one of which was lacking in each, viz., pure black in ground color from the former, and the laced, or Wyandotte, scheme of color from the latter. Logically speaking, this claim of manner of Wyandotte origination is backed up by probability. The use of a second cross, giving preponderance of blood to the breed supplying the color pattern, or feather mark- ings, and leaving one-fourth blood’ to the out-cross to establish correct body color, would seem correct theory. Although Mr. Ray disclaimed responsibility for the name “Sebright Cochin,” which was first applied to them by. William M. Lewis, a poultry writer of that day, it A PAIR OF “SEBRIGHT COCHINS” Fig. 4—Wyandotte History: Wyandottes, at the period of their development which is represented by this illustration, were ‘‘in the rough.” From all accounts they were distinctly ‘Wyandotte in practical qualities, and doubtless they bore a closer resemblance to our modern Silver Laced birds than this crudely-executed cut would indicate, Such fine points as the style of comb and shanks were not determined until a later date. appears that Mr. Ray’s efforts were directed towards a fowl whose general character would constitute it a Cochin. Considering the color significance of this cross, the Chittagongs seem to have been of a spangled nature, with black-tipped feathers. The “Silver Sebright’” was distinctively laced in character. The difference in these two patterns is not of kind, but degree rather, the laced plumage being a more completely developed spangle. Mr. Ray’s second recourse to the ‘Silver Sebright,” then, looked simply to the more complete engrafting of the laced plumage upon the Chittagong type. Continuing to quote Mr. Ray, we wiil let him tell the story of the blending of the races: “I will now give the origin of the Silver Wyandotte breed. In the spring of 1870 we obtained a sitting of eggs from the late Ed- ward Bronson, of East Bloomfield, N. Y., later of Abilene, Kan. His fowls were the first cross be- tween the “Silver Sebrights” and the = black and yellow Chittagong. The following fall we purchased Mr. Bron- son’s best pair—our selection of his breeding birds. This : blood we bred t6- gether for two = years. Our next move was to select a pair, our choice from the flock of pure “Silver Se- brights” owned by my friend of many years, the late H. ° M. Doubleday, who at that time lived near Dexter, N. Y. Mr. Doubleday is en- titled to the credit of bringing the ‘Silver Sebrights” to Western New York. With this new cross injected into my blood line, the birds carried three-fourths of the “Silver Sebright” blood and one-fourth of the Chittagong, and 1 do not know of any other blood being crossed with the breed down to date.” “My first birds were silver laced and gold laced, clean legged and feather legged, and single combed and rose combed. I selected for breeding stock the silver laced, rose combed ones, and for some little time those with feathers on the leg; these, as a rule, were the best birds as to shape and color. Later we bred for clean legs alte- gether.” : Up to this point, these fowls, which ten years later were to be admitted to the Standard as Wyandottes, had been bred only for general type and color, such niceties as style of comb and legs remaining for later considera- tion. It is to Mr. L. Whittaker, of North Adams, Mich., that we must give credit for evolving the crude Sebright Cochin into a type essentially Wyandotte, for their clean legs and rose combs are essential features, and that these points were introduced by him is shown by the following correspondence. Mr. Whittaker made his start by pur- chase from Mr. Ray in the spring of 1873. Much of their correspondence is interesting reading, but not of his- torical value. Here are a few extracts from Mr. Whit- taker’s letters to Mr. Ray: “The cut cost $25, and represents my idea of the birds, or what I thought of breeding to. Think they could be bred with feathered legs easily, and if that is your idea will endeavor to breed in same direction. * * “My idea is to breed this variety with clear striped hackle and saddle feathers. * * * ° 8 THE WYANDOTTES “T have a young cock that * * * * does not show any of the yellow or straw color, and has a clean bright leg, and I must say he suits me better than those with leg feathering. * * * I have concluded to breed them clean-legged and with edging or lacing of black entirely around the feathers.” By the above quotations the point is established that Mr. Whittaker, though second in the field in point of time, rendered valuable aid in directing the breed toward the finally accepted type. The Wyandotte had no sooner become popular than a controversy developed among the “AMERICAN SHBRIGHTS” A PAIR OF Fig. 5—Wyandotte History: This cut first presented to the world the com- pleted type of the new breed which finally became known as the Wyandotte. This picture was made for Mr. L,, Whittaker, and reproductions of it were used by many breeders during a term of several years, to illustrate their advertisements and printed matter. The type shown was the original conception of the breed for both shape and color. The cock’s wing is correct in the main, according to present day ideals: the hen’s back and cushion are mossy, as the early Standard specifically described; the plumage pattern is of today’s type, and the bodily proportions are true to the type of that period, being longer and less blocky than our modern Wyandaottes. \ friends of Messrs. Ray and Whittaker as to which of these breeders merited exclusive honors of origination. With the knowledge we now possess of the respective parts played by these veteran breeders it is apparent that they should be considered as joint originators. First Distinctive Silver Wyandotte Cut The cut above referred to, which is here reproduced (Fig. 5) gave to the world for the first time a realistic presentation of the breed, with its clean legs, distinctive Wyandotte shape of body and a type of plumage ap- proaching clean white centers. Franklane L. Sewell, America’s premier poultry artist of the present day, in a recent interview with Mr. Whit- taker (1906), gleaned the following points from this orig- inator’s recollection of his early experience: “Certain reversions went to prove the correctness of the presumed make-up of the Chittagong. There was the stilty type of the Malay, with its accompanying straw- berry comb; also the heavier rounder type, a common de- fect of color of the latter being a ‘shawl-neck,” silvery from head to arch of neck, and from that point to back, a smoky, dark mass of color. It was in a type distinct from Malay or Dorking, however, but more slender, that Mr. Whittaker found best color, which he used for the improvement of that feature, despite a proneness to single comb. As early as 1874 he had good lacing, but frosty edging was an occasional though not invariable defect. In 1874 he produced a nearly ideal hen, which from her size received the distinguished title of “the big hen,” and, living to the age of eight or nine years, she was bred repeatedly. She was very evenly laced all over, of the open type, with large white centers which did not grow mossy with age.” Undger Mr. Whittaker’s critical suggestions, Mr. Sewell drew a model outlining this historic hen’s type, which is here reproduced, (Fig. 6). This specimen evidently reverted to Dorking for size and shape, repeating the color of the “Sebright” of which she was three-fourths blood. The foregoing history is unimpeachable and there is no question of the identity of the stock re- ferred to. But we have also credible testimony of a stock of these “Sebrights’—presumably the same as Mr. Ray refers to—which remained in the eastern part of New York State and, being purely bred, constituted the stock of one of the early breeders. This was Mr. George F. Hull, whose testimony we quote from a book entitled “Wyandotte Culture,’ py B. N. Pierce (Indianapolis, Indiana, 1886), as fol- lows: “TI got my first Wyandottes in 1872 from an aunt of mine living in Nassau, N. Y. She got them from Sandlake, N. Y¥., but no one seemed to know who first brought them there.” _ We have an interesting problem before us as to the identity of this “Silver Sebright” of Mr. Ray, which directly constituted the strain of Mr. Hull, and possibly of other breeders of that day whose history is unwritten. Mr. I. K: Felch early as- serted the existence of Breda blood in the Wyan- dotte, but advanced no data for such a claim. If we look: up the history of this breed we find men- tion of its having been imported to this country previous to 1850. “The Poultry Book,” by Bennett (1850), tells of some that had been brought from Holland by a sea-captain from Marblehead some years previous to that date. Another importation of Bredas is mentioned in Dixon’s “Ornamental and Domestic Poultry,” (1851), which were brought to Boston from Amsterdam in 1842. The student of the subject will find a striking analogy between this now for- gotten breed and the Wyandotte. A comparison of Figures 7 and 8 shows a striking likeness between these fowls as to bodily type. The cut of Bredas bears the marks of a sketch from life; it is reproduced from Wright’s “Practical Poultry Keeper,” old edition. The Wyandotte picture was published as a frontispiece to the Poultry Monthly for September, 1885, having been sketched from life by their breeder, G. K. Knapp, Onondaga Hill, N. Y. This also has a realistic look and depicts the early Wyandotte type more faith- fully than most work of that period. Wright says, in his “New Book of Poultry,” that the Bredas were at one time considerably bred in the United States. Bennett, in “The Poultry Book,” (1851), states: “They possess all the characteristics of a perfect breed.” Tegetmeier, in “The Poultry Book” (1867), says that they “are birds of me- dium size, with very full, prominent breasts and large flowing tails. There is no doubt whatever that they were originally a sport from the feather-crested Polish family.” THE WYANDOTTES 9 The supposition that the Breda entered into the foun- dation blood of the “Silver Sebrights” was shared by Mr. Whittaker, who testified to reversion to the peculiar style of comb of the Breda, which was nearly combless, being distinguished by three small knobs each like a strawberry in shape. The assumption that this evanes- cent “Silver Sebright,” which Mr. Ray says constituted three-fourths of the blood of the Ray-Whittaker Wyan- dottes, was closely affiliated with the Breda, falls in line with the dual fact that a certain breed is known to have been brought here to ultimately disappear from our knowledge, and another of similar character is claimed to have appeared from some source untraced. Tegetmeier mentions the color of the Spangled Polish as having been one of the Breda’s schemes of color. The ‘Silver Se- brights” were thought by Doubleday to have been “A for- eign or imported bird;” the Bredas are known to have been such. The Breda is known to have displayed various types of color besides black, among these, white and silver-laced. The assumption that the “Silver Sebright” was affiliated in origin with the imported Breda would presuppose inherent tendencies to revert to types which the Wyandotte did display very early—the solid colors, black and white. Silvers Were the Original Variety The foregoing sketch comprises a full account 0. what are conceded to have been the original strains of the Wyandotte—or the Silver-laced Wyandotte as now known. The fact is well attested that stock directly ob- tained from Mr. Whittaker has been kept intact from other blood sources in the hands of some breeders, not- ably the late T. . Orr. In the absence of any specified declaration upon the part of Messrs. Ray and Whittaker, speculation was rife during the early days of Wyandotte history; apparent resemblance to contemporary breeds was accepted as proof and theorists filled the gap with statements as to their origin which though not estab- lished by even the semblance of fact, gained a popular credence which has survived to the present time as the traditional origin of the breed. The accepted form of this story was that the Wyandotte was produced from ingenious crosses of Sebright Bantam, Buff Cochin, Dark Brahma and Silver Hamburg. This assigned origin doubtless did much to inspire breeders with ideas at a later period, when the breed had been launched and its sudden popularity, conjointly with a woeful shortage of available breeding stock, had ied to wholesale crossing in the way of experimental improvement and to supply the truly remarkable demand for this attractive new breed. It is the fate of breeds both old and new to be sub- jected to occasional outcrosses, but an account of these is a poor substitute for the original history of any race of fowls. It is a good argument of the age and attend- ant prepotency of a type that it readily survives out- crosses and remains apparently unchanged, a fine ex- ample of which was that original Wyandotte—the “Silver Sebright”—after having been subjected in Ray’s hands to the cross with the Chittagong. Of the many outcrossings to which the Wyandotte presumably has been subjected, a well-authenticated instance is one attested by C. S. Mattison, South Shaftsbury, Vt. that some of the prize-winning Silver Laced pullets at the Pan-American Exposition (1901) shown by his brother, the late F. L. Mat- tison, were of a stock which recently had been outcrossed with the Dark Brahma. So far as typi- cal character is concerned, with the subsequent selection that follows, the foreign blood is speedily eliminated, and external traces of the cross are lost. That outcrosses formed no essential part in Wyan- dotte origin is shown by the fact that the original Ray- Whittaker strain, in the hands of T. E. Orr, existed in the highest degree of perfection without resource to them. In 1901 Mr. Orr wrote: “My first Wyandottes were thirteen chicks hatched from twenty-six Whittaker eggs, and I opened the breeding season of 1882 with one cock- erel and four pullets selected from those thirteen. 1 never added fresh blood except that bought from Whit- taker himself in 1885, and all birds in my breeding pens the past year (1900) were direct and line-brea descend- ants from these.” It was in later years that the full facts, as established by the correspondence of Ray and Whittaker, came to light, and surviving some skepticism based upon misconstruction of intended meaning, a fuller comprehension of these originators’ statements has led to their general acceptance as the fully-accredited ac- count of the breed. Nothing New Under the Sun To recapitulate, we have seen that the Wyandotte, so far from having been a newly composite fowl at the time of its introduction, was undoubtedly a survival of WHITTAKER’S “BIG HEN” Fig. 6—Wyandotte History: In this pen-and-ink sketch by Mr. F.L. Sewell, drawn according to Mr. Whittaker’s description of each separate feature, after the lapse of a third of a century, we have a picture of more than passing interest. The sketch was sub- mitted to Mr. Whittaker for approval before it was finished and re- produced. Mr. Sewell’s recognized ability in realistic portrayal of fowls was here put to the test, with much credit to his imagination, and it was a fortunate day for Wyandotte fanciers when he and this veteran breeder met. The picture suggests that in the opinion of Mr. Whittaker the blocky type we are apt to regard as distinctively modern really existed at that early day, without recourse to any other blood than that furnished by the original Ray stock. © an old type so well fixed as to have endured through re- peated outcrosses; so far from being originally com- prised in part of Dark Brahma, it is shown to have been already a well-established type when crossed with the stock of fowls out of which the Dark Brahma itself was a selection; so far from having been a descendant of the Hamburg and Sebright bantam, it has been specifically 10 THE WYANDOTTES stated by the originators never to have manifested any marks of reversion to them. Upon the other hand, there is strong suggestion of an internal] nature that the orig- inal Wyandotte may have been descended, through the tually corrective in build—to assume the true poultry type, distinctly new as to physical exterior, but esHet- tially old of feather pattern and useful traits derived from its composite extraction. This Breda stock was A PAIR OF Fig. 7—Wyandotte History “BREDAS” This old-time cut is remarkable in several ways, especially in presenting with unusual detail and artistic finish, for its period, the features of a fowl which, though once known in Amer- ica, disappeared to leave no trace, unless, as has been claimed, its blood was a factor in the foundation stock ’ which produced the Wyandotte. It is introduced here as a means of instituting a comparison with the cut of old-time Wyandottes which follows. See Fig. 8, % 4 PAIR OF G. K. KNAPP’S EARLY WYANDOTTES ) __ Fig. 8,—Wyandotte Hfstory: This picture, together with the one shown at the head of this chapt (Fig. 1,) were much admired in their day, and are especially interesting as presenting the open-center type of plumage in vogue until shortly after their admission to the Stan ard of Perfection, in . Algfhough somewhat idealized, in the main this illustration faithfully portrays the breed as it originally appeayed. Breda, from stock out of which the Hamburg itself was derived—the pre-historic Polish, from which the crest had become eliminated. Indeed, there is nothing new under the sun! The Silver Polish; attractive to a few, a redoubtable egg type of the past, had but to shed its general troubadour make- up, put on a modern headgear and clean-looking skin, and by the combined influence of Malay and Dorking—mu- | sufficiently prepotent in type ee i “OIGL JO PABpuUTIg PEsTASeSY EY 0} PuyuIoJUOS (USPIOH pus IBAYS)- Saeurey pus soleur - ayopuesM pee jo suoMoss [Ie Ul SIey}Vez [eNplApuy Jo ssuyyIeUT 10[0o TeSpt uy 30 Sulpunjsiepun e100 B Uy ISISSB OF persderd s} JIVYO SAOCGE IL NOILOGMUAd JO CUVGNVLS NVOTMGNV AHL Ad GAMINOWU SV HOTOD 40 NOILONAIULSIG GHL ONILVULSN TIL ZO[ON epopuad A poowy] [eopy Jo 71BqD 2) ONd TENYNOf ALLTod FTAVITTY AG . Qo61 LHDINAdO) ay OAd-WHYNOF AXLINd TAWTAY AG QoG I" LHDIYAdO) CHAPTER III The Science of Natural Color As Applied to Standard Varieties of Poultry, with Special Reference to the Color Problems that Influence the Production of All Varieties of Wyandottes. A Thorough Scientific Research and Study of the Pigmentary Depositions aud Their Importance in Attaining the Ideal Standard Color F. W. Proctor HEN I first fell a victim to the breeding frenzy, some twenty-five years ago, I can well recall my amazement upon finding that like fails to beget like in the matter of color, in certain instances. A neighbor, a veteran breeder of Games, had in his yards a flock of chicks which ran the whole scale of Game colors, the “get” of a single Black Red sire. There were Pyles and Duckwings, Black Reds and Browns, besides some others. My \impression is that I must have sorely taxed this neighbor’s patience by my huge grist of questions. At any rate I was soon familiar with the whole scheme of Game matings. But with the practical side of the subject all avail- able knowledge seemed to stop. As to the fundamental laws of color variation, the only answer I could get either from breeders or works upon the subject was to the effect that the tendency to variation of color is “i in the blood”, and that each color type repeats the colora- tion of some ancestor—which is quite true so far as it goes, but somewhat of an eye-closer to the philosophic mind. The trait of speculation soon possessed me, and in the absence of any authority I set out independently to investigate the subject. This phase of the fancy of poultry soon became predominant in my mind and I have experienced no less satisfaction in the solving of color problems than from actual work as a breeder. All Colorations Glosely Related That the Black Red male should be the sire of so diverse a progeny struck me as being no less wonderful than that these retained through all their variations the patterns or arrangement of color so perfectly. A famil- iarity with the subject which I soon reached showed the Black Red to hold a paternal relation, in every breed, to all known types of color. As we proceed to trace color variations in logical order we may recognize six distinct phases of color production, giving rise to as many color types—The Black Red, Duckwing, Pyles and the solids, black, red and white. Whatever the color pattern, how- ever intricate, the Wyandottes included, all fowls fall naturally into one or another of these classes, which fact récognized, the problem of their breeding is cor- respondingly simplified. The blood of the original Wyandottes, so far as color lines permitted, was a factor in evolving the succeeding varieties. While it is not customary so far as comes to the ear of the public to amalgamate the varieties, it may yet be done within pattern lines. The impaired vitality that so often attends inbreeding is not the essential result of related blood, but naturally follows the breed- ing together of similar temperaments. And as tempera- ment is exemplified no less in color than in physical attributes in general, the advantage gained in vigor by ‘the structural, or the nearer absolute whiteness. outcrossing with other colorations is obvious. It will be recollected that the breed with which this custom has obtained most generally—the Game—remains the most vital of all fowls, despite their being kept closely within breed lines. What is Color? Let us consider briefly the subject of color in the abstract. Light is comprised of undulations of varying rapidity. As a most familiar example of the analysis of light according to the rapidity or length of undulation, we have the rainbow, the red rays being slower, in the proportion of two to three, than the violet. Now the mind has power to intuitively distinguish between the undulations of different lengths as to the heat contained, which constitutes the sensation of color. (This topic is treated more fully in the Reliable Poultry Journal Pub- lishing Company’s book, The Plymouth Rocks.) The varying color of objects results from how they act upon the rays of light. If the undulations of all lengths are alike absorbed by an object, ‘and thus nullified in their power to contribute to the sight, technical darkness results, which is the sensation we term black. Upon the other hand, if all rays alike are reflected, our impression is of light unehanged, or white. It is when an object nullifies certain -rays only, that it takes on color—red, blue or any intervening -hue, according to the length of the rays remaining to be reflected to the eye. So much for the part that light plays to effect color. Next comes the differing quality of objects as to their action upon light. Our subject confines us chiefly to the hen’s exterior—plumage, skin of legs and features of head. Physiological chemistry demonstrates that the varied color effects are the product of two secretions. We term them the pigments, black and red. These are deposited within the growing feathers, or other parts of the body; and according to the presence of the pigments, one or both, and the amount deposited, the plumage is colored. Again, the feather itself is a factor. When the pigments are both wanting, the substance of the feather reflects alike the rays of all lengths, or white, which is structural color, as distinguished from pigmentary. The structural element creeps in as the pigmentary recedes, so that a buff fowl, or a blue one, ‘takes its color tone according as the red pigment or the black is secreted in diminished quantity;. the less of pigment the more of This point is ‘made. clearer. by. 4 comparison of the feather to a glass bottle. “Give thé bottle an opaque quality—as ground glass and while it remains empty we have a figure of the white plumage. Imagine each separate feather a bottle, its mouth embedded in the skin and filed, with one or both pigments to conform to its inherent pattern, and the figure is complete. BY RELIABLE POULTRY JOURNAL PUB.CO Nn ° gs e & = z :& 0 ‘ es A K iB & 2 a} fy fy ° Q % 4 7 4 “4 BY REVIABLE PoULTRY JOURNAL PUB.Ce COPYRIGHT -19°9 - Chart of Ideal Columbian Wyandotte Color ILLUSTRATING THE DISTRIBUTION OF COLOR AS REQUIRED BY THE AMERICAN ST THE WYANDOTTES Nature and Origin of the Pigments The true economy of the pigments is little under- stood. As with the human race the complexion of skin and color of hair are identification marks of tempera- ment in individuals and races, so the development of the pigments in fowls is attended by physical differences of body and feathers. So far as determined, there is no economic advantage, as regards meat or egg production, in one color over another. However, color is by far the most important factor in the beauty of fowls, which in itself possesses a money value far above the strictly useful; and the intrinsic importance of color is apparent. As in the case with all growth, the pigments are evolved through the medium of the blood. During the develop- ing stage the base of the quill remains in a gelatinous state, and from this blood-fed reservoir of nutriment the feather gradually emerges, the evolution of its structure and its contained pigment going on conjointly. This is one of the marvels of Nature, that an inner economy can thus work out, as by an artist’s design, an inherent scheme of. color—a thing in itself so complex that each individual ancestor for generations back exerts a distinct influence. Our understanding of pigmentary development is made more clear if we consider it under the two distinct processes of secretion and deposition. Secretion is con- trolled as to kind and amount by ancestral influence, but between this and deposition another distinct act inter- poses to deposit the secreted pigment according to the inherent design. Thus, the Silver Laced Wyandotte and the Silver Penciled may be regarded identical as to secretion, and their dissimilarity of plumage results ' from differing habits of deposition. And again the Silver Laced and the Golden, while identical in deposition, owe their distinctness to different secretion of pigments. This distinctness is well worth the breeder’s attention. The faults of color are susceptible of analysis, and if deficient in amount of deposit its correction would not lie in the introduction of new blood of however fine pat- tern if also weak in secretion. It is one of the most common of errors to confound the color of fowls with applied knowledge of color de- _ rived from other sources, as the various arts or profes- * sions. How often do we hear the artist’s rule of thumb ' laid down as authority for the fancier. The artist will talk knowingly of what buff color is, and how derived from the sources at his command, oblivious to the fact ' that the fancier’s range of color supply is limited to the two animal pigments. The buff color of our fowls is but a diminuation of the red pigment, and the perfection of its tone is the simple matter of how evenly it is diffused through the plumage. As we have seen, either pigment is modified only by the joint action of the other or by being present in lesser amount. Generally speaking, the two pigments, perhaps from their distinct chemical natures, retain their separate places when deposited upon the plumage and do not blend, thus making pos- sible striking color effects. There is an apparent blend- ing, it is true, when a cross of yellow-legged fowls upon blue-legged gives shanks of a greenish or willow hue; but close examination resolves this into two distinct layers of pigment, the blue outside the yellow, the blending being optical merely. Another exception to the non-blending character of the pigments is the irridescent sheen peculiar to black plumage, which we will consider later. Quite distinct, however, is the relation of either pigment to white; which with no opposing chemical nature, being a negation merely, blend, or conjointly 29 occupy the same area with the red or black, resulting in buff or blue. Natural Variation of Colo. We may trace logically the several deviations from the black-red coloration as shown by the Game fowl. We will assume what is constantly happening, the checking of the pigments at their source. The chick in question, we will say, so far as deposition goes, continues the paternal black red color pattern. But secretion of one of the pigments, the red in this instance, following the lead of the dam or some remote ancestor, is blotted out. We have here two conflicting tendencies of color. That controlling the deposition would continue the normal black-red pattern, and proceeds to deposit such pigment as is received in that intent. But the secretory function failing to supply the red, its usual field receives no deposit, and remains white. And so we have the duckwing coloration, shorn of all its mystery. We have only to imagine the same natural process applied to the black pigment, and we have the black-red type with black omitted and red normally deposited, to account for the pile. ‘These two primary variations established, the others follow in natural course. We will suppose the forces of secretion to augment in each instance the remaining pigment. The pile then becomes a red fowl, which is aided by the natural teiadency of a single pigment to leave its normal area and spread out over the plumage. This accomplished, the buff type is reached by lessened secretion, deposition continuing as before. In the case of the duckwing an increased secre- tion produces the birchen, and ultimately ‘solid black. The suspended red secretion has only to be revived and the birchen is transformed into brown-red. All known colorations are modifications of these mentioned, the change being in each case in the habit of deposition to reproduce the inherent pattern of plumage. The Game breed’s traditions of color remain in force and dominate the breeding’ problems of the Wyandottes. The breeder . will find no difficulty in classifying the Wyandottes along the natural color lines. The Goldens are black-reds, the Silvers duckwings. This rule holds strictly as to secre- tion, but deposition is modified to conform to the patterns of Wyandotte colorations. The Laced Varieties Considered These should be considered together, as their scheme of color is identical, white in the Silver taking the place of the red pigment in the Golden. In originating the breed, the logical order was reversed, entailing a large amount of unnecessary labor. If the laced pattern had been worked out in black-red and the duckwing evolved from that, much confusion would have been avoided. The two pigments, both positive in their nature, work together in harmony. Blot out one pigment, Nature is disturbed, and trouble is met in confining the active pig- ment and white to their proper areas. This is correct in theory, backed by historical fact. With a considerable time handicap, the Goldens were originated, and very soon led the Silvers in accuracy of pattern—and this despite the fact that the Silver with its imperfections was a factor in its makeup. Now the pattern of these two varieties is identical, and with the greater perfection in the Golden, this is the natural outcross for improve- ment of the Silver variety. A Golden pullet should be used with a Silver cock, as the male is more prepotent in color, and if vigorous his advantage in age should further tend to blot out red pigment. From this out- cross select the pullets best in Silver color, rejecting all "OXSE JO _ Oa SPST SUT Se SU SSNS ee eee eoreure: en VMOPUSLAL PCLOUSE JO suchioos ire CU SLOG Ess TENPIATHUT JO SHUsMIUUL AO[OS YESPY SUT Zo TUPUISIS pun’ yoo yoo W Wy JSlSes OF POKUdOAd By JAwUS SCACaY OUL NOILOGAUaAd AO CUVANVLIS NVOrEanv GHL Ad CHYINSAY SV HOTOD AO NOILOGIULSIA FHL DNILVWULSNTIL AO[OD o}0puBs MA popous” [Vepy yo x10yD ANE WHUNOMAWLINed TVA AT = —— NL BAN Ae ©) ANd WHOM AYLTNod TTOWTRYAD GLE oy GO6|" LUDIYAde) THE WYANDOTTES 31 the males, as their get would be apt to bring in reversion to the Golden type. While the Goldens and Silvers are by nature black- reds and duckwings, a Standard. faulty in its require- ments of black pigment in excess of Nature’s demands, seems determined to make brown-reds and: birchens of them. To eke out a fancied feature of ‘beauty in under- color,-the Standard unwisely calls for a degr ee of black secretion in excess of that calculated’ for best results upon the surface. The matter does not stop with mere sentiment, but fanciers have been driven to buy abroad birds of better color that should have been produced at home; and, further, breeders have transferred their in- terest to other varieties. The Partridge and Penciled Varieties The observant breeder of these two varieties is aware that the Standard description of the females stops far short of the highest ideal of color. brown penciled with dark brown” of the Partridge leaves too small a degree of contrast; which is equally true of the “gray with distinct dark pencilings” of the Silver. 1 quote from the article upon these varieties by the late Ezra Cornell: “The great beauty of these birds depends upon getting a strong contrast of color. The tendency is to a light gray ground with darker pencilings. This is less attractive, and every effort should be made to get clearness of color, a clean black and white, like that of the Hamburg.” Now, here we have the true ideal, which . the Standard has not exacted for the reason that- it confines its description to existing conditions. greatest contrast is the logical aim and ultimate goal, which has’ been so beautifully worked out in the laced varieties—that is, the Silver’s plumage to be of alternat- ing bands of the purest white and black, and the- Partridge color, golden bay and black. And the problem is before us, how to accomplich this. Speaking of the female’s plumage, we will assume that secretion is already correct, as shown by the males of the two varieties, black and white, and black. and red, respectively. The problem is narrowed: down to the habit of deposition, or faulty pattern. The natural cor- relation of colors in the two. sexes is the leading element in the discussion. We will instance the Brown. Leghorn, whose color for the two sexes must be of identical secre- tion—though apparently distinct, from different habits of deposition, or pattern of : . color—being massed: upon the male and generally merged upon the female. we may formulate a law, that in the natural black-red and duckwing types there exists a natural correlation between massed effects upon the male and stippled effects upon the female. And this conclusion is inevitable, that in order to supersede the female’s objec- tionable stippling in favor of open bands of pure color, a corresponding change must be made in the male’s color. This is practicable in two. ways, which are exem- plified in the Hamburgs. First, distribute the red color upon the surface for the Partridge. (read*this color white, for the Silver) allowing the black to. become an undercolor as in the Penciled Hamburgs.- Second, de- velop an identical scheme of color for the two sexes, as with the Spangled Hamburgs. Of the two alternatives 1 should pronounce in favor of the latter. There isa tendency in the blood toward this which is intentionally kept under in the system of breeding in vogue. Exper- ience with these varieties proves that a male faulty in color under the existing standard is the true concomi- .quality of the accompanying line for males. The “reddish-. The ~ From ° this, and other breeds of similar nature in this respect, .. tant of the finest-colored female, the departure being a proportion of red in the male’s black masses, especially in breast and fluff of legs. Certain males thus colored have shown much perfection of hen color in their chick feathering which - is a valuable indication of quality as / breeders. of ev enly penciled pullets. This fact points to a solution of our problem to develop sharply contrasted color. To the extent this hen plumaged male is developed, the male’s massed color is broken up, which is the logical first step towards im- proved female plumage. These varieties belong to the ‘two-mating order at the best, as at present constituted, and to embark upon this system of breeding for the female line would involve no sacrifice in the exhibition While this will remain theory until patiently demonstrated through a long course of breeding, the problem would seem to be identical with that so happily worked out in the laced varieties. Black Wyandottes—The Green Sheen A black variety’s hopes of popularity"would seem to be restricted to being the original and only well-known representative of its breed. The Langshan and Minorca claim a greater popularity than any other black fowls, but the degree of tavor accorded them would seem the mark of intrinsic merit rather than a pronounced ad- miration for their color. To win a considerable follow- ing, the Wyandottes in black plumage would need a , Similar impulse based upon a belief in some economie “superiority, especially in the face of the long list of really popular colorations to appeal to our favor. If the equal of any Wyandotte in thriftiness and as egg-pro ducers, its disadvantage in the matter of black pin-feathers would call for some strong counter-attrac- tion in. its ‘plumage living, to warrant the expectation . of. ilereased interest. However, as an accredited repre- sentative of the most popular general- pHEneS breed, it calls for impartial mention. ; The black fowl of modern sequireneata: is dis- tinguished by a rich gloss, giving greenish. ‘reflections. This green sheen, as we term it, proves a difficult feature . te breed, the natural tendency of black color’ ‘being to- wards reflections of a bluish cast, or else the same re- lieved by alternate transverse lines of purple. It long has been a vexed question as to how this desirable green sheen is constituted, how produced, and how purple barring is to be avoided—a problem which readily yields to color analysis along lines we have laid down. Green is well known to be a composite effect, coming from the blending of the elements blue and yellow—tones easily traced in the black fowl’s plumage. Purple is also com- posite, and may be described as a warmer green, having red in its full intensity as a component, with blue. In defence of this position, when a white sport comes from “plack fowls with a pronounced green sheen—as the White Langshan—it has a brassy tint, and persistently efflorescence of corresponding color within the carcass, for the Langshan shows no considerable deposit of the red pigment in any part. Red is well known to have the higher degree of staying power in the plumage, not yielding to albinism as does the black. It is apparent, en that the White Langshan’s brassy tendencies are -d-survival from the black coloration; and we may regard “it as an established fact that it constitutes an element in producing the green sheen. -'Thé sheen, of plumage is a reflection of light from the surface of the feathers, as distinguished from that reflected from the pigment contained in the feathers. Bi, “ @PYRIGHT,19°9 BY RELIABLE PoULTRY JOURNAL PUB.Co Og BY RELIABLE PoVLTRY JOURNAL PUB.Co ? 2 — = w = a &i Chart of Standard Shape Male and Female g Composite Ideals of Male and Female Shape (All Var yandotte Male and Female Models Submitted to Them by Mr, Sewell in. 1906 (see Illustrations on Pages 48 and 49.) Also Conforming to Revised Standard of 1910. eties), i Criticisms of W: Designed Expressly for this Book by Franklane L. Sewell, Showin Breeders’ and usudges’ Based on and Incorporating Copyrighted Chart, THE WYANDOTTES 33 While the black pigment’s nature is to absorb all light, the struciural surface reflects a small portion un- changed, or white, and the reflected sheen is composite of these two principles, black and white, the former largely in excess. The effect, then, is exactly as the color of the sky—outer blackness of unlighted space seen through an atmosphere illumined with white light— blue being black and neutral white as seen when: their blending is more intimately effected than when we may distinguish them as gray. It is within our experience that the various color tones are comprised within the sheen of reflected light, the plumage apart from the sheen appearing black. We have been considering the origin of sheen as de- veloped in neutral color, as with fowls strictly black, and producing a sheen bluish in tone, of a depth of color so dark as to be classed a violet hue. But, as we have seen, the warm tone of color arising from a deposit of red pigment with the black is the combination which with proper distribution gives the green sheen, or when unevenly disposed results in purple barring. The prob- lem would appear to be one of careful breeding from stock carrying the green sheen in the highest degree procurable. However, there would seem to be required a certain amount of the red principle, in excess of which, just as in the breeding of buff too much color gives red, the purple effect creeps in; so that the rule of mating together birds of correct sheen is not infallible. The green sheen should be invariably well developed at least in one sex, preferably the male; and with such it has been claimed that females of a dull black often seem to nick successfully. A strain rich in green sheen will often throw red feathers in hackles of males. These carry an excess of color, and are in themselves culls, but in no wise condemn others of the same breeding, which are often the best breeders for color. Buff Wyandottes—Which Shades? As we have seen, buff is an intermediate tone of color, its full intensity existing in the Rhode Island Red. Between that breed’s deepest red and a buff so weak as to just fail of being white, there exists an infinity of color tones, one or more beautiful than another, their only limit in number being the lack of human skill to distinguish between them. It would be folly to say that, from this wide range, only one particular tone of color should be arbitrarily set down as exclusively buff; and so the Standard very wisely avoids limiting the color, with the wording: “A shade of rich golden buff.” As there is no attempt to define this phrase, it would be difficult to say whether the Standard calls for the color of gold, which in its purity even, is of varying shades, all decidedly “rich”, or whether the logical sense of the words calls for something richer (more reddish?) than gold. It is impossible to know the intent of the com- mittee who selected this phrase, whether they conceived of some set, shade which they endeavored to express by such ambiguous wording. The logical range for buff would be some where near a mean between the two extremes, red and white. Probably the most approved shades of buff are covered by this description. More important than any set shade is the degree of success reached in the blending of the elements of buff—red pig- ment and colorless (or white) feather. To be buff in fact, the blending should be so complete that the most careful scrutiny may not reveal any deviation from one even color tone. In breeding to produce buff of the finest description, it is essential that the mated sexes are of one uniform shade; or failing to match in color, their progeny will carry the mark of conflicting color. Nor does this requirement cover all. The ancestral influeyce of color for generations back is a strong factor in determining the color of the chicks. For best results the color of the mated stock should be known to have been the habit of a long line of ancestors. The day has passed when the careful breeder needs to tolerate foul color, either white or black, in his breeders, White Wyandottes—Purity of White In treating of the two remaining varieties another physiological trait remains to be considered—the rela- tion of color deposit within the carcass to that of the plumage. In the early days of the White Wyandotte it was commonly asserted that a clear white plumage is impossible to obtain upon a fowl with yellow carcass and shanks, the internal fat being tinged by the red pigment and its deposit upon the plumage accepted as a foregone conclusion. But time has brought its changes, and theory has had to change to accord wth experience. As an example of the fact that the outward deposit upon the plumage of a pigment does not always follow its secretion, we have the Silky fowl. Perhaps the pe- culiar formation of its feathers in a measure unfits them to receive the pigment; but at any rate its plumage receives no color although secretion of black is active, being deposited throughout the carcass, the skin of head and appendages being saturated, the total color effect of both skin and contained pigment being dark purple. In line with this is the entire Wyandotte family, regardless of plumage deposits, all actively secreting the red in sufficient proportion to give the desired yellow. carcass. The difficulty at the beginning was to find actually white specimens; and once found, there was the in- fiuence of a long line of faulty ancestry to work away from. The strong tendency remains, of the yellow inner color towards the plumage; but in carefully bred stocks the ancestral habit of suspended deposition on the plumage, despite active secretion for the carcass has become fixed, and the White Wyandotte of a satisfactory degree of purity is an established fact. Columbian Wyandotte’s Color Scheme This newest coloration transplants to the Wyandotte breed the color scheme of the Light Brahma. There would seem to be nothing more than conjecture as to the Brahma’s origin; but careful study of its makeup points to a mixed Asiatic and Malay extraction; an assumption that still throws no light on the history of its color, which also must be arrived at by analytical process. Its black and white appearance pronounces it to belong to the duckwing classification, not from the black-red type direct, but its preponderance of white area shows that its immediate forerunners were largely red, relieved by black in neck, wings and tail. Those who have been in late years exploiting the Buff Brahma claim that this type spontaneously appeared among pure-bred stock of the Light variety—an assertion that gains credence when we systematically trace. the evolution of color types. It would be just such a coloration that, under the natural process of development of the duckwing type would have preceded the Light Brahma; the deposition of red spontaneously ceasing, to leave former red areas white. This systematic method of classifying the Light Brahma coloration enables us to comprehensively grasp the nature of its chief color defect—a persistent ten- dency to brassiness in its white areas. This does not logically follow upon the inner color of the carcass, but it is an inherent trait common to the duckwing class. 34 THE WYANDOTTES The evolution of the duckwing type from the black-red does not completely suspend the deposition of red; as we see by the salmon breast of females and the persistent appearance of red (although not standard) in the wing- coverts of males. This imperfect elimination of red deposit upon plumage applies with equal force to the modified duck- wing type of the Light Brahma. But the red deposit, no longer driven to breast or wings by active black in other sections, is diffused over the surface in the form of brassiness. The Columbian Wyandotte inherits this ten- dency, and the remedy lies in the selection of breeders showing it in the least degree. The breeding problem is identical with that of the Brahma as regards con- serving black by due attention to undercolor of the back, which section naturally carries a deposit of black pig- ment if secreted in sufficient quantity to give proper striping to the hacke. In conclusion, I would urge the importance of con- stant study in color lines. Color is by far the greatest essential, whatever the authorized scale of points may indicate to the contrary. A Laced Wyandotte or a Barred Rock of tolerable shape and manifestly superior in color may be calculated to win over the most typical with but indifferent color. And this is eminently proper, for the difficulties in the way of breeding color are with most breeds incomparably gre.ter. The successful fancier combines the qualifications of scientific worker and artist. In no line of human en- deavor is there a louder call for intelligence, and espe- cially the trait of minute attention to details. It is told ‘of a noted sculptor that when his friend remarked that the changes he wrought from day to day were appar- ently but trifies, he replied, that trifles in the aggregate made for perfecton, and that perfection was no trifle. And so with the faneier. His efforts toward the perfect type in form and feathers may seem incompre- hensible to those unversed in this particular art. But none the less, if by persistence he achieves recognition as « leader in his line of work, it becomes a proud dis- tinction. ; CHAPTER IV Important Changes in Wyandotte Type Value of Uniform Ideals— Outlines of Extremes in Shape— Results of “Short Cut’? Breeding for Shape— Portraits of Models that Entered into the Competition of the Ideals of 1903 and Outlines IHustrating Changes in Wyandotte Fashion — Outlines that Compare Three Prominent Sets of Ideals of 1888, 1903 and 1906 Franklane L Sewell, Artist ERHAPS no better lesson on the im- portance of shape could be exper- fenced by the expert than to impose upon him the task of judging a large class of any breed at an _ inter- national poultry show. He will recognize then, how es- sential it is that breeders agree upon a uniform shape; to recognize, adopt and se- lect to it, as a standard ideal shape, for the breed. This is the more notice- able in a breed on which sev- eral varieties of color and pattern have been produced, especially .when a number of these variations have, as in the case of the Wyandottes, been affected by crosses with breeds of old established types of other races. First-Prize Cock at Boston, 1898. Shape makes the Breed, Color the Variety It is important that as breeders, we recognize the fact that “Shape means Wyandotte” whereas color and markings might mean Silver Penciled, Plymouth Rocks, White Plymouth Rocks or Buff Plymouth Rocks, ete. Ex- perts when judging fowls pay great attention to the form of specimens in the class under their considera- tion. At the New York show in 1900 we heard more than one old expert say that the difference of shape in the. pens of Buffs, Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds and Orpingtons was scarcely more than in the name. In the present year, 1907, this would not be said, as the types of these four breeds have been dis- tinetly separated, so that a single combed sport, from a Buff Wyandotte entered in the Buff Plymouth Rock class under these same experts, we have seen recognized and passed by, because of its Wyandotte shape—so it will be seen that breeds are classed by the shape, the color only describing the variety. In a number of foreign shows, where fanciers exhibit, who have made various short cuts toward clear centers and open lacing on the Silver Laced Wyandotte, a greater diversity of shapes is observed in the breed than is found in America, where out-crossing has scarcely been prac- ticed for twenty years. The greatest variations in type -having come through importations in order to secure the open lacings. To find accredited experts, for the sake of displaying accurate lacings in Wyandotte classes, venturing speci- mens that illustrate the shape of the breed so widely, emphasizes the need of better agreement among breeders and closer adherence to a uniform breed type. When ex- perts become so’taken up with color as to ignore breed type, and judges are compelled in exhibitions to value color far above breed shape, then the variety becomes worthy to be classed among toys, and loses its standing as a practical standard breed. Remarkable Extremes If there is one criticism more than another that has come to me from conservative breeders, suggesting changes in our standard ideals, it is along the line of ex- tremes, one fancier going so far as to urge that the ex- treme ideals, that he himself had favored and had been selecting too, were proving injurious to the popularity and sale of his variety. The main points in an ideal, should always be to make it a safe guide in breeding and showing true values of beauty and utility. It is not to be expected that all varieties of the Wy- andotte, so variously produced, should easily be selected to one ideal. The problems that these difficulties present to the breeder add interest to the scientific side of his’ work. The Silver Laced and Golden Laced, with the White variety, which in the 80’s sported from the Silver Laced, should be found to best represent the ideal shape. A standard-bred Wyandotte of today means a fowl of stand- ard Wyandotte size, symmetrical combination of the well | rounded sections as described in detail and illustrated in the Standard of Perfection. The late T. E. Orr, an ardent admirer of the Wyan- dottes, wrote the General Remarks appearing on page 44 of the present Standard of Perfection, from which we quote the following: “The Wyandotte has a shape peculiarly its own. It is emphatically a bird of curves. Fanciers should strive to maintain its short back and deep, round body. These characteristics exceed in value all color considerations, and are found in the typical Wyandotte at all ages, whether alive or dressed. Its curved, close-fitting comb adds to the symmetry of the bird.” It will be found on turning to the scale of points, showing the valuation of the sections for judging the American class (to which the Wyandottes belong), that to shape is allotted fully one-half the total number of points for the full score of the specimen. For all pur- poses for which fowls are kept, shape must always be of first importance. In selecting all kinds of fine live stock, the actual shape points are the first characteristic to es- tablish. Shape is the foundation, color is the finish. For a breed like the Wyandottes where shape has so much to do with determining its economic as well as its exhibition value, we believe most experienced experts 36 THE WYANDOTTES would give shape more, rather than less, than half the value in the scale of points. Leaving color for description in connection with the varieties, let us turn to the earliest description of Wyan- dotte shape. We find all the way through the description the attempt to emphasize breadth, depth and roundness. In the first section, Head is described as “Short, crown broad.” In the present Standard the same idea is given in “Short, round, broad.” “SILVER QUEEN” A Silver Laced Wyandotte hen, drawn by B. N. Pierce, 1884, Winner of first at Worcester, then owned by L. C. Denman. We once heard an old breeder say, show me the head of a fowl and I.can easily judge of the type of its body. This will be found quite true, that the head is a good in- dication of the remainder of the body. The claim for the Wyandotte has been that it is always plump and round at all ages. This character of the breed type has always been kept uppermost in the minds of standard makers for the Wyandotte. Changes in Wyandotte Shape and Ideals About the middle of the 70’s when the American breeder’s fancy for the American Sebright seemed at its zenith, and admission to the “Standard of Excellence” was considered the only move that could possibly make it more popular, Mr. Leonard Whittaker, of Michigan, engaged the well known B. N. Pierce to make an engrav- ing for him to express his ideal of a male and female of his fowls. ’ This engraving was the first cut that gave the world a representation of what American fanciers were to ac- cept as an attractive guide toward values of quality and beauty in this, soon to be, world famous breed—The Wy- andotte. It is a well accepted fact that this plate formed a basis for the first description of the breed that was accepted by the American Poultry Association and placed in the Standard in 1880. This illustration did much toward aiding breeders in their desire to agree upon a consistent type, and in 1884. when our acquaintance with the breed commenced, the majority of the best fanciers of the Wyandotte could exhibit many specimens quite equal or superior to these pictured models. . type, “The Houdlette Picture” in Mr. Proctor’s compre- hensive article on the “History of Wyandotte Origin” photographed by Carlisle in 1877 from a water color em- phasizes a characteristic that has always attracted at- tention and admiration from the fanciers of the breed. We refer to the profusion of saddle and tail covert ' plumage in the male. The artist was evidently interested in the beauty of this section and gave it particular study, The length and abundance of saddle and tail feathers gives the impression of a longer body than the ideal engraved by Mr. Pierce for L. Whittaker in 1874, although the actual length of body seems about the same. We first saw the Wyandotte at the poultry yards of - Dr. E. B. Weston, of Highland Park, Il. On a journey among the eastern breeders in the autumn of 1885, we found the then Silver-Laced Wyandotte in varying styles of shape between those two shapes. Our observation at that time agreed with what Mr. Whittaker in the autumn of 1906 told of his earliest experience, that the most slender specimens almost invariably developed the clear- est, most open laced plumage. This seems to point out the slender type as a reversion to the early “Sebright” which possessed the clear lacing while the larger, heavier and more fiuffy type was in many ways influenced by the Chittagong.cross repeating the coarser blood of tbis large race, which represented prominent Asiatic charac- teristics. Wyandotte Type in the Eighties A characteristic plate and one that well portrays the “slender” type that was in favor in the early 80’s was by Mr. B. N. Pierce for Mr. L. C. Denman of Ohio. This hen “Silver Queen” was the first winner at Worcester in 1884. This type which Mr. Whittaker termed the “slender” _is what on handling we have learned to describe as the “firm plumaged” kind. This was the type we found closely approached on visiting the yards of Mr. George F. Hull, of New Lebanon, N. Y. Mr. Hull had the most even flock of Wyandottes that we saw in the east in 1885. There were to be found at that -date a number of speci- mens of the breed of this firm, smooth feathered but the rounder body represented by other illustrations and the text appearing in’the Stand- ard, led way from this to the rounder fashion. In the autumn of 1885 we obtained from the yards of F. L. Mattison, of Vermont, a_ Silver Laced Wyandotte pullet of the fuller feathered type. She was of good size, of fluffy under plum- age and appeared un- usually large. A plate of A WYANDOTTE TYPE Outline of a Silver Laced Wyan- her grouped with a golte hen purchased by Woodward & leavi er hen of firmer Fe iS oo F. 1. Mattison of Ver- plumage that appeared not so large, appeared in the Poultry Monthly, November, 1886. We present here an outline, only of the pullet, as the subject is on the Wyandotte type. In 1886 we were asked by the Hunt Brothers, of Greenwood, IIL, to sketch at their yards their White “Harlequin.” This male was a well matured cockerel, a direct white sport, from their Silver-Laced Wyandottes, and shows the same type as the present sire. “Harle- THE WYANDOTTES 37 quin” is a progressive step toward the models of several years later. “Harlequin” and the female just mentioned portray outlines that approach toward the roundness of present day show birds of the breed. In 1888 the American Poultry Association issued out- line ideals of what represented some of the winning Wy- andottes of the time. Those were drawn by J. Henry Lee, a pupil of B. N. Pierce. However, the discontinuance of illustrations of the Standards of that time did not lend to popularity of those ideals, Rapid Change in Types Take up any well-known breed, trace its history back- ward a quarter of a century only, and we see how many fashions and changes have influenced breeders’ opinions as to its most desirable type. Especially is this evident ‘with the newer, more modern breeds, the types of which fanciers have been working to establish within the mem- ory of our older experts. We have chosen the white va- riety with which to illustrate “Progress in Wyandotte Ideals” as we wish, so far as possible, to attract the reader’s attention to shape and characteristic form. Many progressive breeders travel hundreds of miles to the leading shows in order to compare the types of fine specimens of this favorite breed, considered best by leading experts. The poultry judges have had a great in- fluence in fashioning standard ideals through the prom- inence given certain types, by their awards in such lead- ing exhibitions as are annually held at New York, Boston and Chicago. Each ideal has had its influence upon judges’ de- cisions in the show room. Every published picture, to a greater or less extent, has its influence upon popular fashion and standard ideals, and to some extent has im- pelled breeders’ selections when making purchases of new blood, and also when mating their breeding pens in hopes of producing more valuable types and show room win- ners. It has been our practice since the organization of the New York, Boston and oe poultry associations to attend these ex- hibitions, talk with the most progres- sive fanciers and make studies of the winning birds. The Wyandotte ideals in the present Standard of Perfec- tion, the revision of 1903, were based upon studies from winning birds shown prior to February, 1904, when the com- posite ideals were submitted to American Poultry Association at its meeting in Roches- ter. Hence those ideals illustrate as near as we could conceive, the type preferred by the best expert breeders and judges up to that time. Turning backward to 1898, we find the first prize cock at Boston, shown at head of this article, differing very little from the first white sport from the Silvers we saw in 1885 from the yards of F. A. Houdlette, in Walt- ham, Mass. This will give a good idea of the original bes which “HARLEQUIN” 4 pure white sport bred from Silvers by Hunt Brothers of Illinois in 1886. the present day models for ideals have originated from. It differs in a number of points from what would be consid- ered modern Wyandotte. He appears more elongated in every section than winners at later shows, not to men- tion present day models. He is also closer feathered which expresses the more slender appearance. It is hardly necessary to point to the long neck, the slanting back and long contracted tail, and almost reachy legs, as charac- teristics no more exhibited by Wyandotte experts. Notable Prize Winners In 1899 a more rounded and compact type of Wyan- dotte appeared in the first cockerel at Boston, shown by Arthur G. Duston. In 1900 a very broad appearing white cock won first at New York, his perhaps over abundance of fluff at the time was criticised. However, the fashion for roundness too often ob- tained through excess of fluff gained in popularity. Since 1900, depth of body, fullness of breast, short- ness of leg and apparent shortness of back have increased in favor as a fashion among the ma- jority of Wyandotte judges, and the plump, cobby birds have had the preference for honors in the show rooms. ; In December, 1901, at Philadelphia, and in January, 1902 at New York, (shown by C. F. A. Smith) an admir- ably modeled cock, won first honors at both events, and was second choice among the judges for best'in all the show. At both shows he was greatly fancied for his cobby type, neat head, full neck hackle, short back, full body and square set legs. A number of experts at Boston in 1902 fancied the type of the third prize-winning hen, shown by Castle Third Prize Hen at Boston, 1902, .Farm. She was a smooth plumaged, level bodied hen of purely Wyandotte outlines. In this specimen the back appears moderately short, but the bird still shows suf- ficient length of body. Changes in Ideals No shape type becomes absolutely established as a fixed quality or, from the nature of domesticated animal life, ever approaches even the apparent degree of uni- formity that is seen in wild species; hence it is the more important that breeders of certain races of fowls agree upon and adopt what they consider to be the most per- fect representative types, that develop in the breed and that are likely to perpetuate the greatest values for which the race is kept. To illustrate this to the student of Wyandotte shape, the outlines of male, also female, com- bining the ideals of the obsolete edition of the Standard of 1888, the ideals of the Standard of 1903, the submitted ideals of 1906 with outlines of live models, will show what variance of birds and opinions of experts can occur in a few years, and we wish here to state that these overlapped outlines do not show the mutation in the breed, but only the changes in ideals. The overlapped outlines with accompanying description are shown on the next page. In the male “A” represents the winner at Phila- delphia in exhibition pen December, 1901, and at New York, January, 1902. 38 THE WYANDOTTES In the female “A” compares the outline of the first Chicago hen of 1905. One of the most striking differences in the changes here shown from 1888 to 1906 is in the car- riage of the birds’ bodies. The more modern models being carried more on the level. The models of 1888 represented by the double narrow lines carrying considerably higher up in front while the last submitted models represented by the heavy black outlines show a prevailing fashion for more level body- lines underneath. The change in the caryiage and the level of the body is perhaps the most important of the shape changes in the show room Wyandotte. This change to prove of value, should be brought about by increased development of the breast and muscular structure along the knee bone, mere changes in posture and filling out and down with fluffy plumage is only an impression, besides being a Cochin characteristic and does not belong to the Amer- ican class, all of which should be characterized by a smooth surface and moderate degree of firmness to the plumage. Changes in Wyandotte Fashion The four outlines A, B, C and D, of Wyandotte females plainly tell the story of changing fashions of the types exhibited by Wyandotte breeders. Wyandottes in the whole have not shown more variation in breed character- istics than have other races of modern production. In their composition there is considerable proneness to revert to one or another of their early progenitors, especially when bloods not closely related are mated. This tendency to change, in the hands of expert breeders offers frequent opportunity for selections toward special fancied qualities. It can be easily recognized, however, varying types of a race give breeders the chance of se- lecting to the prevailing fashion. Twenty years ago, when the white sports of the Silver Wyandottes were first coming into notice, A was a fair example of the average good specimen. This smooth, firm plumage type is still found in the yards of many who keep them solely for what they will produce in flesh and eggs. In the leading show rooms this style would be passed as far behind the times. Outline B is the largest framed bird of the four and possesses the largest body and a tail approaching the Dorking in development of a table type—well worth while for economic value, yet too straight in breast lines to meet the present required fashion. Her saddle is more of the Plymouth Rock sweep, although the tail fin- ishes with the Wyandotte spread. A number of breeders assert that their experience has found Wyandottes thus OVERLAPPED IDEALS OF THE WYANDOTTE MALE AND FEMALE RESPECTIVELY At the left will be seen overlapped outlines showing changes in ideals of the Wyandotte male. 1—From the obsolete ideal authorized at the meetin sented by the narrow double line). —An outline ideal, representing fashions seen in the latest winners, g of the American Poultry Association at Indianapolis in 1888, drawn by J. Henry Lee (repre- 2—The present Standard ideal, accepted and approved by the A. P. A, at their meeting at Rochester, 1903 (represented by the short dotted line) of which returned valuable criticisms (represented by the heavy black wo to American and Huropean Wyandotte experts in 1906, about eighty A—Expressed by the long dashes, is the New York and Philadelphia winner of winter of 1901-1902. In the overlappe 1 outlines of the female, is the first winning hen at Chicago, 1905, shown at right, the description of the respective outlines is the same as for the male excepting A, which , THE WYANDOTTES 39 proportioned to be the best as layers. Our own advice to those who breed first of all, for egg production, would be to carefully use the trap nest during breeding season, and with accurate record of each female’s actual egg A—TYPE OF 1886 phe above outline, the first of four outlines iustrating changes in Wyandotte fashion shows the type of the average good specimen of twenty years ago. yield, make selection accordingly. If it is only egg ma- chines that are desired, the record will help to determine which the best egg machines are, and the egg case will be the only judge. In the customs of the show room, no system has as yet been devised for giving credit for a bird’s product. B—THE “LONG” TYPE Second outline of series of four illustrating changes in Wyandotte fashion, é .In comparing the three last of this group, they might be termed “long,” “medium” and “short.” The greatest difference appears in their backs and this section chiefly of late years has been judged in determining the “short- ness” of a Wyandotte. These outlines are from actual models exhibited by famous breeders, and each is a prize bird. The effect of attaining “shortness” is here plainly seen. The fancy requirement of fashion for shortness has, in outline D, been accomplished in the extreme. The outline shown in C is nearest to the present accepted standard ideal, and comparison will show a remarkably close approach to it, the main difference being in the exceeding fullness in the lower breast and fluff of the outline in C, these sections being somewhat overdone when judged by the standard outline. Referring to the Standard of Perfection, one must C—THE MEDIUM TYPE » The third of the series of four outlines illustrating changes in Wyandotte fashion. acknowledge that D is the embodiment of a “short cut” to Standard described Wyandotte body, which reads, “Body and fluff—body short, deep, round. Fluff, full feathered, well rounded.” Aside from the back (being to the mind of most critics unduly short and so much se D—THE ‘ SHORT” TYPE The fourth of the series of four outlines illustrating changes in Wyandotte fashion. as to appear contracted) this specimen also nearly meets the Standard description. As to breast—‘Broad, deep, round, with low set keel,” we take it “round” under- takes to emphasize fullness or plumpness. It must be 40 THE WYANDOTTES remembered that roundness is easier obtained on such excessive shortness. It is for Wyandotte breeders to decide if the greatest future and truest values in their strains, can be attained with a fashion controlling that puts the premium at the leading shows upon extreme “shortness,” in other words on such reduced length. If this reduction could affect the comparative amount of off-fall as was once claimed for the breed famous in the Houdan district of France, then could a valuable acquisition be claimed, on the other hand, if in securing apparent shortness, contraction or deterioration of productive organs were made _ probable, it would be well for in- terested breeders of one of America’s best races of fowls to dili- gently investigate. We have placed circles upon the last three outlines to as- sist comparison of the proportionate length of the breasts and bodies. First New York Cockerel, 1905, In pursuing the progress and changes in Wyandottes brought about by selective breeding and to ascertain expert opinion on what fashion was most de- sired up-to-date, a new pair of Wyandotte ideal outlines were completed in the summer of 1906, and submitted to experts of the breed in America and Europe. About eighty of the leading Wyandotte breeders and judges responded, with criticisms which prove illustra- tive and interesting. A number of these experts illus- trated their opinions in a very comprehensive way, by drawing upon the prints submitted to them the changes they considered most important. Several of these are sufficient to show general prefer- ences; they also emphasize how widely even experts differ, and how much illustrations in the Standards are needed to bring about closer uniformity of opinion as to what constitute ideal forms. ; A look at a few of the birds used as models for these outlines submitted, and some of the very best that have appeared at the shows since the present standard ideals were published, will reveal interesting comparisons, and perhaps induce further criticisms that will help to bring forth more genuine ideal models for Standard fashion. Males Recently Exhibited Among the models that helped in the composition of the male was the first prize cockerel at New York, 1905, a study of which appears on this page. Excepting the needed completion of tail, this was a very well balanced model. ' Roundness of breast and body seems particularly good in this cockerel and the cock illustrated on this page. The height on legs of the first New York cockerel illustrated above is just to suit a large number of fan- ciers; the thigh joint of the cock to right appearing too long. The tail of this cock, which bird was shown at Boston, 1906, by Edward Ling, is much better furnished than on many Wyandottes lately exhibited. Two years ago in males the second prize cockerel at New York, shown by Arthur Duston, proved a bird that closely coincides with the winning type at English shows, where they appear to favor about the height of limb seen on this bird. Since about 1900 the judges, especially at eastern shows, have most often shown favor to the very cobby, short legged type. In 1904 one of the lowest set matured males that has been exhibited at New York was shown in the first winning exhibition by Mr. Jackson and pur- chased by M. F. Delano. The late T. E. Orr, who judged White Wyandottes that year, said he was one of the most massive birds he ever handled; that in shape and size he was typical of all that was best in White Wyandottes. Last winter (January, 1907) Mr. Horace Havemeyer ex- hibited an extremely rounded and compact type of Wyan- dotte cockerel; a bird that perhaps expresses the fashion nearest to what this enthusiast has been selecting and breeding. It is indeed an extreme fashion, very short appearing over the back, as well as very cobby and rounded in breast and body. The Present Standard The present Standard for the Wyandotte plainly says: “Body and ‘Fluff—Body: Short, deep, round. Fluff, full feathered, well rounded.” To many fanciers the Have- meyer bird will seem an extreme of the fashion. It pre- sents quite a marked contrast to the second winning New York cockerel. The second cockerel was given two places ahead of this very round bodied cockerel by the judge of ‘the class at New York. Referring to the Standard, we find head, beak, neck, back, body, tail and legs, all described as “short.” Breast, also body, described as “round” and “deep.” These New York cockerels, two contrasting fashions, illustrate the consideration of judges and the flexibility of the Standard interpretation. They also show clearly the changes that are possible, and the very wide variation of type awarded prizes in one class the same year at one show. Models for 1906 Ideal Principal among the females used in presenting recent Wyandotte type in the new ideals were the two pullets winning in 1905 at New York and Chicago. Notice the full rounded sections in each, and es- pecially the deep breasts. The New York pullet is a trifle the larger type; both appear very level in their carriage of body, a characteristic that is be- coming quite well estab- lished in the best strains and distinguishes the best families of exhibition Wy- andottes, The “deep, round” body, with low set keel has become a much coy- eted point of late years, ee and is a feature with ——-.--——_J which a number of breed- ers have succeeded re- markably, Both these females have broad skulls and rather full throats; the latter has been criticised in the 1906 ideals. Mr. Drevenstedt, referring to it as “Brahmaesque;” no doubt it is in keeping with a degree of coarseness, that At Boston, 1906, THE WYANDOTTES 41 is not admired in the show pen by many fanciers. ‘ The backs of both rise well over moderately rounded cushions to well carried tails. In the Chicago pullet, the cushion by most critics has been thought as some- what high and the tail grandly spread, but too high and a trifle too long. The tail of the New York female in the photograph is not fully grown. Ten days’ time might have brought it nearer to ideal spread. On the Chicago pullet, the tail would have suited most judges if she had been shown a fortnight earlier. Ideal Shape Submitted by Experts T IS exceedingly interesting and valuable to the fan- | cier and breeder of Wyandottes to compare the criticisms of such experienced and noted experts of the Wyandotte as have so kindly co-operated in this work. I. K. Felch’s Criticisms Mr. I. K. Felch’s long experience certainly claims pri, ority of opinion. When sending the accompanying marked proofs he writes: “I want to say it is all wrong—too much depth for length of body.” Referring to the male he says: “Hear should come forward to this line (See illustration, line in front of beak) in front to lengthen back a bit.” Of the females he writes (after making changes): “Nature can and sometimes does reach this. The difference be- tween the shape of the cut as it came to me and the shape as I return it, means twenty eggs in a year more, in favor of it now.” A MASSIVE TYPE The cock winning Ist in exhibition pen at New York, 1904, was shown by J.-H. Jackson and purchased by M. F. Delano, A very ‘cobby’’, compact, massive type. An Old Time Sugégestion Twelve years ago Mr. Felch suggested changes in the accompanying female Wyandotte ideal by cutting away with the scissors parts of those sections that he consid- ered overdone or excessive. At that time he wrote: “I hope to show that it is made wholly outside of natural and live lines. Compare the two to see that the artist has made an error in the front of the legs which com- pelled him to commit another error to balance and har- monize the first one. Is it not a fact that in the average sized specimen the breast is never carried so far forward as to meet a drop line from the point of the beak to the ground.” The New York winning female, previously referred to, would appear to present about the poise which Mr. Felch approves. Perhaps the grandest shaped Wyandotte female shown in 1907, certainly the most imposing at America’s greatest exhibition was Arthur Duston’s white hen that won first at Madison Square Garden. This model illus- trates what Mr. Felch thought twelve years ago, was not within the reach of breeders to attain; however, a few of those who have selected to breed such ideals have been successful. The bars of the cage seen beyond the is perhaps ‘ shortness in lines from hen in the picture show plainly how prominently the breast in this specimen is carried. i Suggestions by Geo. O. Brown Mr. Geo. O. Brown of Maryland, one of the oldest eastern judges, suggests less fullness in the lower breast of the male and has added lines to show his preference for greater width of tail. The same criticism, only more so, he has applied to the breast of the female, and would have less fullness of lower hackle plumage, less posterior fluff and says, “Both are shorter on legs than should be.” Criticisms by J. H. Drevenstedt These show the well expressed criticisms of J. H. Drevenstedt, whose special study of the Wyandotte has ex- tended over many years and we are free to say that .his con- servative, yet harmon- ious outlines, agree with the type of many attractive Wyandottes exhibited. He emphasizes in his letter that “The head of the female looks too ‘Brahmaesque,’ fluff too heavy and hocks not well enough defined.” A COMPACT TYPE Illustrating Horace Havemeyer’s fourth prize Wyandotte cockerel at New York in January, 1907. This is an extremely short, round type. Criticisms by Dr. P. T. Woods Dr. P. T. Woods has taken off a little thickness from necks of both male and female to give longer appearance to their backs—slightly lowered the saddles as they join the tail, and has taken from the fullness of the female’s throat and upper breast. He considered that “the body of the male should be settled a little more between the legs with a view to squaring it somewhat.” Views of Prominent Western Judges Mr. Thomas F. Rigg of Iowa, well’ known as a judge at important shows east and west says: “There a little Second New York Cockerel,1967. 1 to 2 as indicated in . the drawing of the male.” He had no criticism to make on the female and writes: “I believe they will raise the standard of Wyandotte quality.” ° Mr. W. S. Russell, a popular western judge, returns the print as you see it with suggestions of a much fuller arch in the neck of the male, more fullness in the lower 42 THE WYANDOTTES breast and longer—more forward keel. Of the female he wrote, “consider ideal.” Iowa certainly appreciates and desires qualities in the show room Wyandotte, that excel on the table. Shortness of the keel in particular is at once criticised by these two judges that reside in this fa- mous poultry state. Mr. H. P. Rankin, of Nebraska, (acting secretary pro tem. of the National White Wyandotte Club) considers the upper part of rear fiuff of male a little too full and on the female (as illustrated) he would take away from the fullness of the throat and neck, also from the lower breast and keel, and would lower the cushion and tail. F. H. Shellabarger of Iowa, with twenty or more years experience judging in the west, makes his sugges- tions plain by the dark lines that would make the, tail shorter and more compact, would shorten the wattles of the male and extend the breast forward, giving more length of keel on the male. In the female the throat and cushion have impressed him as too full. Baron Herzeele Favors English Type Baron Willy Von Herzeele of Holland, in agreement with the English fashion for the Wyandotte, wrote: “They both look a little too short on the legs for Wyan- dottes. We in Europe don’t like them too short. I showed the pictures to Mr. Planten of Utrech and to Mr. Walop (of Rotterdam) the best breeders of Wyandottes in Holland, and they both gave the same remark: Per- haps you want them like that in America.” Baron Herzeele exhibits at the leading shows on the European continent and at the Palace shows of London, England. His criticism fairly represents the popular opinion on that side. FIRST NEW YORK PULLET, 1905 One of the females used in the compo- sition of the ideal submitted to critics in 1906. A MODERN BEAUTY The beautiful female shown here was the first prize White Wyandotte hen at Madison Square Garden, January, 1907, FIRST CHICAGO PULLET, 1905 One of the principal females used in the composition of the ideal submitted to critics in 1906, shown by Arthur G. Duston. A CRITICISM OF TWELVE YEARS AGO At the left of the above illustration is shown an ideal Wyandotte female by B. i i is shown the ideal Wyandotte female with changes suggested by I, K. Felch twelve enna: At the-rigne THE WYANDOTTES 43 Some Additional Criticisms N OUR judgment, Mr. Sewell’s drawing of the cock bird is as near correct as such a drawing can be. The female, however, according to our interpre- tation of correct shape is a trifle too blocky.”— Chas. R. Upson, Connecticut. “The outline pictures as prepared by Mr. Sewell re- ceived and with your invitation of criticism in regard to the outline pictures where they fail to represent the true shape of male and female as per standard description. And will say that I went over these outlines, section by section, and I consider then. ideal in every section, and a masterpiece.”—R. A. Richardson, Massachusetts. Changes in the ideal outlines, suggested by I. K. Felch of Massachusetts. “In regard to outline pictures of Wyandottes would say that the male is nearly perfect in shape. I would suggest, however, that just back of the head the line should have a little more curve. It appears to me slightly flat. Comb is about % too heavy in width. Wattles 1-5 too long and should be more rounding. Breast from pbreast-bone should be filled out 4 more than the picture shows. Otherwise I consider the shape of this male per- fect and few are ever shown that could compare favor- ably with him. “The female’s beak is 1-6 too long, otherwise head is “The male—I consider very good, as a whole, but I think the wattles should be made shorter and the neck ee out a trifle—a little more along the back of the ead. “The female—is excellent in breast, fluff and length of legs. The beak is too large and the comb is too small —the latter should stand a trifle higher and extend fur- ther back upon the head. There is a little too much eushion to the saddle and the saddle feathers extend down over the wing a little too much. I should also pre- fer to see the tail lowered a little. Both cuts show the general type many of us are at present breeding, which shape I consider to be a great advancement over earlier types of this breed.”—J. B. Hadaway, Massachusetts. “While this shape may be according to the Standard JH OPEVENSTEDT The ideal outlines with excellent criticisms by J. H. Drevenstedt, N. Y. description, I think the hen a little too much of the Cochin shape. In other words, a little too full on breast and fluff. The male is about as near perfection as it is possible to get it.”—R. G. Buffinton, Massachusetts. “In the female I would have the under part of the neck cut out a trifle commencing at the bill and extending down about % inch below the lower point of the wattles, ‘thus giving the head a clear cut appearance, departing as much as possible from the Cochin type, and thus mak- ing the general appearance of the bird a trifle more blocky. The ideal outlines of male and female with suggestions by George O. Brown of Maryland. perfect. Neck just back of head a little too flat. Main meck curves just a trifle too much. Too much cushion on pack by % and too long by 1-6. Tail too long by % and not spread quite enough.”—Geo. E. Mann, Massachusetts. “The cuts in themselves are very fine and I like the body shape without any alteration, but they seem too much like the Rock, which I believe can be remedied without changing shape of body as follows: “Male—Shorten neck a little, also tail—the width of the sickle feathers all round. “Female—Shorten neck a little—tail a little at the end of feathers ,and make head a trifle smaller.”—J. C. Macomber, Massachusetts. The ideal outline of female as Soeneen by Dr. P. T. Woods of New York. The opinion of Thomas F. Rigg of Iowa, with respect to changes in the outline of the male. “In the male bird the change would be more fullness on the outline at the back of the neck commencing about on a line with the eye, thus giving the bird a more stocky appearance through the upper part of the neck which marks the general appearance of the males of nearly all the different animals. “In comparing these outline drawings with nature and with birds that have won in the leading shows I do not think Mr. Sewell has made sufficient difference in the size of the neck between the male and the female.”— Edw. E. Ling, Maine. : “I never saw better ideal shapes and I would call both perfection, except perhaps a little less suspicion of 44 cushion on female. I consider the same sweep to. back of female as in the illustration of the male the better or nearer correct. Yet I fully realize many of our best breasted and bodied females show this slight raise to back.” —F. B. Zimmer, New York._ “I think the male bird is about what we should strive to produce in outline, etc. As to the hen, I think she is overdone in breast—if about 1-16 of an inch was taken off on lower part of breast, it would give her a more beautiful and round appearance. As it is, strikes me as being a hen overfat which is one of the faults Wyandotte breeders have to fight against.”—J. F. Van Alstyne, New ° York. “The outlines of the White Wyandottes come up to the comteas 19, a Sfp teu aN NL MP RANKIN W.S. Russell’s desire for beauty on the neck, but utility in the breast— what is wanted in Iowa. Nebraska. Standard description in every way. But, I think the Standard is a little against the breeders of bred-to-lay Wyandottes, as I have noted that the best layers are ‘usually a trifle longer in body than the Standard calls for.”—W. W. Swartwout, New York. “The White Wyandotte illustrations duly received and I find little criticism in them, and although this crit- icism is in my opinion important and that the suggested F. H. Shellabarger judges the ideals fromthe practical standpoint of the west. changes should be made to produce the ideal—neverthe- less the illustrations are models in themselves and worthy of careful study and copy of Wyandotte breeders. “The male in general outline is a true Wyandotte and the best shaped, all considered, that I have seen. I would prefer a little fuller neck (high up) giving him more arch of neck and to have his head carried a trifle forward, this with less saddle feathers, that is they begin and hang too far forward and is the only change I would suggest. The shape of back is beautiful, while that of breast and body are truly ideal. “The female represents a beautiful specimen in gen- eral. I don’t just like that back and tail and would lower Correction by H, P, Rankin of THE WYANDOTTES the tail near] of aninch; the back is faulty to my mind, too much cunben. I believe the Standard says ‘Slightly rounded cushion,’ if so the back should be lowered and the arch of cushion not so apparent. This also would conform with a lower carried tail as above suggested. The head, neck, breast and body are simply grand, some may say, too much breast, d I think it is just right and excepting above named changes, she suits met a I, if Mr. Sewell will just give the ending and rear shape of comb a little plainer."—H. P. Schwab, New York. “Allow me to make the suggestion that the male bird to my ideal seems a trifle long from check to rear. I am in favor of a bird that is very deep from the top of his back down to his hocks. Holding the print at a distance will convey my meaning better than nearby. The only criticism I can find of the female is that she is a trifle long in tail, where the feathers emerge from 3 i ‘ i: the cushion. As I have jcism by Baron Willy von Herzecle of stated before these are Holland, showsa bird that represents only my ideas of correct quite closely a winning type at Hng- Wyandotte shape and they “"°"°"* may not be right.”—Horace Havemeyer, New York. “As I look at the cuts the female looks to be very nearly perfect except that I should like a little more length of body. There is something in the cut of the male which makes the bird look small and fine in bone. I should prefer the comb not as smooth as shown in the male.”—C, J. Andruss, New York. FROM EUROPK Outline of an extremely tall Golden Laced Wyandotte male, illustrating how “ i injured shape, g how “short cut” breeding for color has “I have but little to criticise in the drawings of the two White Wyandottes. In the male I prefer iene tail. A shape more like the cockerel Mr. Hawkins showed and won with at Madison Square is my idea of a perfect tail. Not extend quite so far back. If a bit of the breast were THE WYANDOTTES 45 taken off and put on the bottom of the breast it would suit me better. In the female I have nothing to say.”— W. W. Kulp, Pennsylvania. “The male I should like the neck arched some more and wattles some shorter. In female, back just a little shorter and not quite so much cushion. Otherwise the cuts suit me and really if I could get my Columbians like the cuts I would be happy.”—Aug. D. Arnold, Pennsyl- vania, Pa. “I wish to suggest that the wattles of the male are too long and pendulous. His body is longer than the Standard description, his shanks have the appearance of being too near together. The head of the female, in- cluding beak is too long; comb is not prominent enough; cushion too full and round; tail spread too much and shanks not set wide enough apart.”—D. J. Lambert, Rhode Island. “Like all of Mr. Sewell’s illustrations they are very fine and so far as I see they come very near to filling the Standard requirements. I think, however, they would come nearer being ideal in shape according to nature and the best specimens we meet with if they were not quite so deep through from back to keel bone. Breast of e- male is too full and most too much fluff to look natural. Male’s tail is little too much Cochin shape for a Wyan- dotte.”—D. W. Owen, Tennessee. ‘ “Answering yours of recent date as to the White Wyandotte drawings, I would suggest the following: Male—wattles a little too long; breast a little too flat. Hocks should be more clear cut from the feathers—show plainer. Female—Neck too thick. Should be more concave in back, take away cushion; feathers of tail not regular enough, point of wing too blunt; hocks not distinct enough below feathers. Body in its entirety a little too cobby and thick as compared with the male.”—H. Savage, Texas. : “In regard to the drawings they are fine. The hen I should like if the tail was a little lower and also the cushion seems too high. There is not too much cushion, but it is drawn on a slant of about 50 degrees. If the tail and cushion were just a little lower the bird would seem better balanced. I like to see just a little more length of leg and her throat is drawn out very prominent making her look very Cochiny about the head. I could offer no change on the male. It is certainly a grand piece of work and would consider it ideal. I might men- tion that the wattles are a little too long for a Wyan- dotte.”—Ira C. Keller, Ohio. “The drawing of the male is certainly ideal and out- side of the wattles being a little too long, the outline most certainly meets the Standard requirements. “The drawing of the female is good, except I should prefer the saddle and tail just a very little lower. Breast econ a trifle overdrawn and middle toe is entirely too ong. “Outside of these minor defects, the drawings are the best I have seen, they certainly represent the true ‘Wyandotte’ type as described in the Standard.”—Henry Berrar, Cal. “Enlarge head a trifle and give a slight more arch- ing to upper neck and you will get the proud finished neck and head of the Wyandotte. The legs and thighs are too short and spurs are set in center of legs. “Female—Comb too small and not carried back over head far enough. Head too small—enlarge head and comb and curve beak from its straight, rigid position and you will greatly improve the outline. Neck good, back too much cushioned to suit my ideal. I admit Standard says, ‘slightly rounded cushion,’ but this is over- done. We do not like curves that way on the beautiful well-rounded bird of curves that make the attractive Wyandotte ideal. Breast and body fine, tail is a little large and a trifle too high. Legs and thighs too short and toes too long.”—C. A. Emry, Missouri. “The male has not quite enough arch in neck, comb too short, wattles too long. The cut in new Standard is a far better one in tail. “The female comb too small, bill too large, back too long, breast a trifle low. The shape of back do not like at all. Judges want a more rounded, and not quite so long a back and our Standard calls for such; a bird as Mr. Sewell has here would be pronounced Rock type.”— H. H. Fike, Tlinois. , “T really think that the shape of the male is one of the best I have ever seen. He strikes me to a dot. He has that broad appearance and I could not tell you where to better him. He is my ideal exactly. “Now in regard to the female, she is good all over except the tail. I can’t tell just where she,is wrong, but ILLUSTRATION SHOWING THE NEED OF DEFINITE TYPE IDEAL It takes no imaginative example to show the high priced fancy fowls that are often sold to patron ported to buyers in foreign countries. “wyandotte”’ need of uniform ideals for a breed, especially in s at some considerable distance, sometimes ex- means a reasonabiy definite shape. The outline left is of an exceedingly deep bodied Partridge Wyandotte, a famous winner of vorkakite uel The outline to the yight is an equally truthful outline of a bird entered asa Silver Wyandotte at a well-known show also in Yorkshire. This stilty specimen was of beautifully laced plumage. To class this bird for breed type among Wyandottes is simply absurd, for the struc- tural proportions of the specimen are a nearer approach to the old reachy type of Indian Game than to the compact breed form of the Wyandotte.—F. L. SEWELL. 46 THE WYANDOTTES I think that her tail is a trifle too long and main tail feathers a trifle too high that would help her consider- able. In fact I think that would make her like the male, one of the best I have ever seen. They are Wyandottes all over. Awfully good in breast and body, both birds. It is hard to criticise a picture like this. They are so near perfect, and I think Mr. Sewell has the right idea of Wyandottes. The two cuts are extremely good, but I think that the tail on the female can be fixed with very little work and then she will look up dandy.”—J. C. Fishel, Ind. “I would say the male is a perfect model of my ideal, of a Wyandotte. The female also, with the exception of a trifle too much cushion.”—H. B. Hark, Ohio. “T see no criticism to make, with the exception of wattles. Would prefer those on the male shorter and in character the same as presented in the Standard for both sexes.”—D. T. Heimlich, Tinois. “The drawings of the Wyandotte submitted are by far the best yet offered. The objections I have to the male are as follows: Head too small, has a narrow appear- ance; neck too straight, not enough arch; wattles too long—should be well round- ed. Comb a little wider di- rectly over the eye and ex- tending slightly, following shape of head. The female is my ideal.”—C. G. Hinds, Cali- fornia. , “he Wyandotte illustra- tion came yesterday and I have given it careful atten- tion. It is fine and shows ‘better Wyandotte shape’ than the great majority of the winners at our winter shows, yet as illustrations of the ‘ideal’ I would criticise a little. .I think the head of the male bird is carried a little high for a Wyandotte, and neck hardly as full in flow of lower hackle as I would like in order to make a short, well arched neck with abundant hackle. The female seems a trifle mascu- line in head and carries same a little erect with neck not quite full enough in lower half. Back also a trifie long and tail rather too well de- veloped and not as neatly finished as the female tail should be. The illustrations are very life like.’—G. D. Holden, Minnesota. “While we were satisfied Mr. Sewell has produced a drawing of the Wyandotte shape as near perfect as pos- sible, we thought we would not depend on our own judg- ment entirely until we had visited the yards of some noted Wyandotte breeders in this section of the country. Our first comparison was in the yards of Judge Henry Norris. This gentleman is a breeder of White Wyan- dottes; keeps nothing but the best. After selecting twelve birds, four males and eight females for compari- son, we find the sketch you sent all O. K. We then visited the two Silver Wyandotte breeders, one a noted ‘poul- try judge’ who has retired from the field. These parties were delighted with the sketch. Could not offer any im- provements.”—John §. Hughes, Missouri. “Irying to criticise the cuts of the Wyandottes, is not an easy thing to do, as I think they are about per- fect, and the only fault I can see, is that the female has too massive a look, and most too deep for her length, legs are too near the center of the body, whicna gives the bird a ‘made’ look, otherwise I think shape is good.”—J. L. Jefferson, Illinois. _, “In the first place I will say there is no serious crit- icism to make on these outlines, and what changes I experts. REVISED WYANDOTTE SHAPE Illustrating ideal Wyandotte shape for male, with the modern, open es laced pattern of plumage for the Silver Laced variety. A conciusion 4 to White Wyandottes have been shape arrived at after the careful study of criticisms of over eighty leading received. would suggest would be slight. The head of the male isa little smelt for the width of the comb. Turn the head of the female a little more to the front and make the comb a trifle larger. The cushion on the female a little too prominent, and shorten up the tail a trifle. “The breast on both sexes is somewhat overdrawn, a little full as compared to the live specimens. Owing to the full breast on the female it has the appearance of tilting her forward a little. The shanks of both sexes should be just a little stouter. With these slight changes I think the outlines will be ideal according to the inter- pretation of the Standard and also compared by the best live specimens I have seen.”—S. B. Lane, Indiana. _ “There is but little room to criticise the drawing of the male. The shape as a whole is good, but in my opin- ion the head points could be slightly improved. There seems to be a little too much space from top of head to point at the lower extremity of the ear lobe. This ne- cessitates showing the wat- tles too long. The wattles should be a little more rounded—not quite so pendu- lous. By making these changes the head will have a little more rounded appear- ance, which I think is nearer right. Nevertheless if all Wy- andotte males in the show room were found to be ex- actly like this drawing in shape points, judges would not make many cuts. “The drawing of male is much better than the female drawing. My severest crit- icism of the latter is in re- gard to back and tail shape. The back should be longer, throwing cushion farther back, thus shortening the length of tail feathers. We want a well-spread tail, but this section should not be given too much prominence eompared with the ‘short’ and ‘round’ appearance gen- erally. Head of female is too coarse and with the excep- tion of comb has too much the appearance of a Brahma head. Head is a little too long from front to back of head, and the throat too prominent. Body shape is good and by making the changes suggested the draw- ing could then be accepted as ideal shape for the Wyan-- dotte female."—G. D. Mc Claskey, Nebraska. “The outline pictures of (PYRIGHT 1907 BY REUABLE PoVLTRY JOURNAL PUB.Co BS I have devoted much time to their study— and I must frankly admit the outlines fully represent the Standard description—as I interpret it and do full jus- tice to the best live models I have seen in the largest shows and Mr. Sewell is to be congratulated on this his best production of ideal Wyandotte shape.’—C. H. Rhodes, Kansas. : “As to the drawing, we think it simpl fine, especial], in the female. We do not see how she Enid be patter: i: _ “As to the male we cannot see very much room for improvement unless the breast would be a shade fuller, io eee eee: and halen Ae wattles are just a shade ge, otherwise we do not think th ideal U. J. Shanklin, Iowa. cee neere ores “Iam in receipt of sketches by Mr. Sewell. I have gone over them carefully, and any suggestions which I might be able to make would change the drawings so little, and also being extremely doubtful of my being able to give him any suggestions that would improve the sketches, I feel disposed to recommend that they be permitted to stand as they are. I cannot consistently suggest an im- provement to them as they meet my ideal as closely as anything of the kind I have ever seén, and it would be THE WYANDOTTES 47 entirely out of my province to suggest any improvement.” —W. R. Wooden, Michigan. “Allow me to say the drawings are among the best I ever saw and my criticisms will be few and of minor importance. 1st—There is but one criticism on the male and that is the wattles are too long. 2nd—The hen ap- pears too coarse as compared to the male, especially is this seen in the head; the tail is also spread too much. The head has too much the Brahma appearance.”—L .P. Harris, Nebraska. ‘z” Few Foreign Criticisms The following gives our readers an idea of what is wanted in the countries represented by the following replies: “By this post we return the picture of the Wyan- dotte fowls. We have examined the drawings carefully and according to our opinion they are very good in shape.”—A. Hoogendyk, Jz., Vlaardingen, Holland. “I am much obliged for copy of sketch of White Wy- andottes by Mr. F. L. Sewell. These I consider ideal with the exception of looking perhaps a little too short on leg compared with the size of body. The comb of the hen might be a little larger as the one on the sketch makes her look like an immature pullet. The shape, size and outline*of bodies of both birds I consider. about perfect and a model of shape to which we ought to try and breed all varieties of the Wyandotte family. In England we are getting the Golds, Silvers and a great many Whites far too high on leg and not showing the breast and low keel as depicted by Mr. Sewell.”—A. Abbott, Thuxton, Norfolk, England. wee COPYRIGHT, 1797, oe ‘BY RELARE POULTRY JoURHAL PUB, Co “I know and hold in very great esteem Mr. F. Sewell as an eminent artist, a very sharp and intelligent ob- server and with a lot of practical science. The drawing of the adult cockerel and pullet seems to be perfection as a representation of the American idea of a large show bird, but the cock and hen before me are not a laying breed and not a table fowl. They should be one or the other. For laying they are too large, they have a yellow bill and thin and fine scaled legs, long hackle and back feathers, all this is very good for a laying strain, but the comb is much too small and wattles and ear-lobes of too fine in texture. The eye is not dark and the ear-lobe not white. The pullet is useless, the whole body too short, also the wings and the tail.’—C. VanderSnickt, Brussels, Belgium. There is value to the breeder and exhibitor in the op- portunity of knowing the preferences of the many judges and experts throughout the country; not alone when exhibiting, but also when making sales, better satisfac- tion undoubtedly can be given when local fanciers are un- derstood and supplied. After the careful study of all criticisms of all the experts, (over eighty) who so kindly co-operated, our at- tempt to harmonize all as nearly as possible into one symmetrical whole is expressed in the two drawings, il- lustrating the Wyandotte shape and in pattern of mark- ings conforming to modern ideals of lacing for the open centered, narrow laced style. RANE REVISED WYANDOTTE SHAPE Ideal Wyandotte shape for female after studying criticisms of the ex- perts, with the narrow laced, open centered pattern preferred by many down-to-date fanciers. A plumage rarely attained, and only by most skilled breeders. Nearest approach yet reached tothe coveted ‘‘Sebright” plumage. THE WYANDOTTES 48 eee: Satin See ORAS NY ca See ~ SSS SSR Wh Se RS SN SVK SS SS SS ARES Outline of Ideal Wyandotte Male SUBMITTED TO AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN EXPERTS COPYRIGHT - 196 BY RELARLE POULTRY JOURNAL PUB.Co- 4 E CI Qn tT & I 3 3 a £ 6 a e eg oak aaanB 0° e oF a ges Bagegs ae a wo ga a Aw 3 es eee Aw a Yq wt ° Bgaas S385 3 yoga vu Baer ow 828 e o fena Sogha apy oo Hong s V_°Ro “anie ew F UO ong me Ane oad aso, e5 Swe OG y ESS s S82o0 So 00) wh okG ofkye ge Ads Sotas gakey as =) geeP 8 giagn .% 6 wy Bo 8 Ory Oe v E ¥ ea6%s oo po0 AGsoH oe AS. Ye eRs Bas’s 2 wows wass roe baod mASG osed from studies of the best ecord progress to that time. ine and of the outline of the female, were submitted Their valuable criticisms, and in a number of cases the proofs 49 THE WYANDOTTES = = E = 2 ao za & _ BY RELIABLE PoVLTRY JOURNAL PUB.CO f Ideal Wyandotte Female SUBMITTED TO AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN EXPERTS ine o Outl 50 THE WYANDOTTES Representative Models of American Wyandotte Males HALF-TONE REPRODUCTIONS OF PHOTOGRAPHS MADP BY ARTIST SEWELL AND USED BY HIM IN DELINEATING IDEAL WYANDOTTE MALES Top Row: 1 and 5—White Wyandotte cock, winner of first and special for best shaped male, Madison Square Garden, N, ¥., 1903. 2-White Wyandotte cock, headed first prize pen at N. Y., 1904; bred and exhibited by J. H. Jackson, Hudson, Mass, 3—Silver Wyandotte cock, English bred, imported by Henry Steinmesch, St. Louis, Mo., winner of several prizes. - Wy rempotie cock, first at Philadelphia, Pa., 1902-03 and first at Boston, 1902; bred and exhibited by A, & E, Tarbox, orkville, Ill. Middle Row: 6—White Wyandotte cockerel, headed first exhibition pen at Philadelphia, 1901-02; owned by James Cheston, whose stock later on became the property of T, E. Orr, Beaver, Pa. 7—White Wyandotte vockerel, first at Boston, 1902; owner’s name not furnished by artist. 8—Golden Wyandotte cockerel, first at Toronto, Can., Boston and New York, 1900; bred by Wray Bros. 9—White Wyandotte cockerel, first at New York, 1903; owned by Horace Havemeyer, Stamford, Conn. Bottom Row: 10—White Wyandotte cockerel, first at New York, 1904; bred and exhibited by A. C. Hawkins, Lancaster, Mass. 11—White Wyandotte cockerel, winner at Boston several years ago; bred by a Mr, Mack. of Vermont. 12—White Wyandotte cockerel, first at Boston, 1899; bred and exhibited by Arthur G, Duston, So, Framingham, Mass. 13—White Wyan- dotte cockerel, first at Boston, 1903; exhibited by owners of the Castle Farm, located somewhere in Connecticut, 14—Buff Wyandotte cockerel, first at Madison Square Garden, 1904; bred and exhibited by A. C, Hawkins. i THE WYANDOTTES 51 The Standard Models N PRESENTING a number of photographic studies of the Wyandotte models that influenced the Standard ideals, we cannot help but congratulate those who have been instrumental in bringing about such great improvements in the breed. No race of fowls has made greater advancement in the last few years than the Wyandottes, especially the white variety, along lines of practical merit and beauty of form. Wyandotte breeders throughout the country have agreed to the deep and plump, round-bodied type, carried on legs of moderate length. We note that the late Stand- ard for the Wyandotte, published in the English journals closely agrees to the type now winning in America. This is a matter of encouragement to American and English breeders, as purchases from the best strains of both countries can be made, with the assurance that in good hands, still greater perfection can be reached. Wyandotte breeders have selected to ideals that have given their favorite one of the finest forms for the best markets; the breed has made wonderful records as egg producers for a race of fowls of such large size, the remarkable large classes at the leading shows of our country give fanciers of Wyandottes great encouragement. INustrations There are eight states (besides Canada and Great Britain) represented among these studies of Wyandottes from Massachusetts to Iowa, and as far south as Mis- souri. The Representative Models of the Wyandotte Male Commencing with the males: 1, at the upper left hand and 5, at the upper right hand (two positions of the same bird) show a grand cock that won first and the special for the best shaped male at Madison Square Gar- den, New York, 1903—a specimen ‘with fine Wyandotte outline, a model in head and comb, with deep, broad, well rounded body, good sweep of back, broad at juncture of saddle and tail. The neck for length and the hackle for fullness are just about what Wyandotte specialists look for, and the length of legs quite proper for the present fashion. The male No. 2, bred by Mr. J. H. Jackson, Massachu- setts, is about the most compact specimen of his class that has appeared in the show rooms. Some of the lead- ing experts favored him at New York in 1904, where he won first in the exhibition pen and was purchased from his Massachusetts owner to be bred in New Jersey. He is of a type often described by our friends in England as “eobby”—in America sometimes as “chunky.” It is a style much sought after in Wyandottes and is valuable in breeding to the Standard description of “round.” He is quite short in neck, legs and tail are very broad, deep and rounded in breast and body sections, bringing him close to the progressive Wyandotte requirements. Added to this he possesses size and vigor, equally valued with fine points in a show bird. In the male No. 3, the accurately defined and glossy black Jacings, with clear, open centers that are being successfully produced in both America and England, are well illustrated. In this study the wing was purposely uncovered and rests outside the drooping saddle hackles that usually hide the laced secondaries. The bird shows unusual clearness of shoulder for three such distinctly. laced bars across the wing, and the secondaries approach very nearly perfect marking. ‘The round, full breast is beautifully laced. The fluff and thighs are also well laced and no trace of frosting appears. The hackle shows the white shafting, and the saddle’s open centers indicate the most reliable markings for obtaining pullets with open-laced plumage as well as showy males. This cock owned by Mr. Henry Steinmesch, Missouri, came from one of the most successful English “strains, the blood now having mingled with the former’s noted strain of Silvers. No. 4 was bred by Messrs. A. and E. Tarbox, an enter- prising firm of Illinois, that won with him, first at Philadelphia in 1901-02, and first at Boston in 1902. His typical shape, good head points, clear, silvery-white top color and shoulders, with good wing-bars and grandly laced breast, led the judge at Philadelphia to say that he was the best he ever saw. No. 6, owned by Mr. James Cheston, was the winner of first in the exhibition pen at Philadelphia in 1901-02 and was pointed out to us by two disinterested experts, as one of the very best in all the show—a cock of grand size and contour and always standing in symmetrical bal- ance; a fine head and comb, full flowing neck-hackle, with back and tail of very desirable type. No. 7, first Boston cockerel in 1902, was from same Pennsylvania yards as the preceding cock. Fine in car- riage, with deep, broad, well-rounded body and plump breast. The comb is full of fine pointed working—a rare quality in well formed Wyandotte combs (too often lumpy). The rounded front and under line of this cock- erel, scarcely broken in its curve from the throat to the tail, is very expressive of the Wyandotte Standard de- scription. Profile of hock shows just about right; the legs and feet are also perfectly formed and placed. No. 8, is a study from a superbly colored Golden, bred in Canada by Messrs. Wray Bros., that won first at To- ronto at the American Poultry Association show, after- wards winning at Boston where he was purchased and then shown at New York the same season, also winning highest honors there. This cockerel had good top lines, fine head and neck, graceful carriage and a very correctly formed and spread tail, carried at the angle of standard requirement. The close feathering brings with it greater brilliancy and helps the specimen to win on his color, al- though it does not add to the fullness and rounded ap- pearance. No. 9, the first cockerel at New York in 1903, is owned by Mr. Horace Havemeyer, Connecticut. He shows a fine head with well worked, rocker comb that: conforms well to the shape of the skull. The head is round, broad and short; the neck unusually well hackled and arched for a young male. He is also very broad for his age. The body is deep and plump and he stands firmly on well rounded straight shanks, with nicely formed toes. There are a number of cockerels in this group that seem put up on legs nicely rounded and fine enough in bone, yet that stand with character and firmness and look as if they had strength to spare. No. 10 is the first prize White cockerel at New York, 1904, from Mr. A. C. Hawkins, Massachusetts. The cock- erel is one of those all-round aristocrats that the judges cannot fail to recognize—a close approach in all sections to Standard requirements. He is pretty well balanced all ’round—no one section seemingly undeveloped for the 52 THE WYANDOTTES rest—not calculated to create a sensation, but of genuine value in progressive line-breeding. No. 11 is a Boston prize winner of several years ago, from a Mr. Mack, of Vermont. In the pose the bird has taken, the line from throat to thighs is almost circular in its curve, although a more oval curve would have been affected had the carriage of the neck been a trifle more erect. The breast is ndt the only well rounded section of this cockerel; he is “full of curves.” The arch of the abundant hackle and the sweep of the back and saddle will be admired by many, and the roundness over sides of the body and wings as they join the breast. No. 15 the single male bird—a rare, good, sound-col- ored Silver Penciled cock—is an English bred pird and has to his credit, first at the Crystal Palace in 1903, first at Bedale in 1903, first and special at Keigley 1903, first Red Hill, first York 1903, and second at the Wyandotte Club show, York, 1902. His “grand head, jet black breast, clear yellow legs and above all splendid top color, as clear as the best Dark Brahmas exhibited in England,” make him a subject worthy of study. The Female Wyandotte Models The female Wyandotte of today presents the roundest Representative Models of American Wyandotte Females HALF-TONE REPRODUCTIONS OF PHOTOGRAPHS MADE BY ARTIST SEWELL AND USED BY HIM IN DELINEATING THE IDEAL WYANDOTTE FEMALE. Top Row: 1 and 6—-White Wyandotte hen, winner of special for best shaped female, Boston, “1902: bred by Thayer & Higgins, Barnstable, Mass. 2—Whi te Wyandotte hen, first at Boston, 1903; shown by Castle Farm, 38—White Wyandotte hen, first at Boston, 1898; also at New York, 1899; shown by J. W. Andrews. 4—Partridge Wyandotte hen, first at New York, 1904; owned by J. B. Hadaway, Brockton, Mass. Bottom Row: 6—Buff Wyandotte hen, first at Boston, 1902; bred and exhibited by Mattison S bury, Vt. 7—Silver Wyandotte hen, bred by Henry Steinmesch, ‘st. me oo Ctcbes, coun anes dotte hen, first at Atlantic City, N. J., 1902; bred_by W. R. Graves, Springfield, Mass. first at New York, 1899; believed to have been bred by Wood & Freeman, present address not known, 10— Louis, Mo., winner of numerous prizes. 8—White Wyan- ‘ 9-Silver Laced Wyandotte pullet, ‘Buft Wyandotte hen, winner at Boston several years ago; bred and exhibited by Frank Dutcher, of the firm of Mattison & Dutcher, No. 12 is the first winner at Boston, 1889, bred by Mr. Arthur G. Duston, Massachusetts. The strain has been noted for fine heads, well rounded bodies and correctly formed backs and tails. No. 13, from the Castle farm, was the lucky cockerel at Boston in 1903, the first winner in a class of forty- three. The New England White Wyandotte Club pointed him out to us as the type they would favor in head, comb and wattles, neck, upper part of breast, back and tail, also in length of limb. No. 14, the last in the group of males, is a stylish Buff of even color, that won for Mr. A. C. Hawkins, Massachu- setts, first at New York in 1904.. He is from the same New England yard as No. 10 and shows excellent qualities for a buff—fine head, close, well-fitting comb and uncom- monly neat wattles. The carriage of his tail is correct, the plumage has a smooth surface, and the pose of the feet tells of a vigor and alertness rarely seen in stock of such heavy weight—the latter points not in the scale of judging, although none the less taken into account by the breeder and judge. and plumpest type of any of the breeds originated in America and perhaps of any race of its size. The Stand- ard repeats often the term “round” and “rounded” and our breeders are rapidly succeeding in producing modela that approach this ideal. We would remark that in some cases the type has been reached by excessive fluff which is not typical of the Wyandotte ideal. The roundness should be obtained by plump and abundantly developed bodies, as is the case in many of the best specimens seen at the more important shows. The first and last hen on the top row of the group of females won for Messrs, Thayer and Higgins, Massa- chusetts, the special for the best shaped female at Boston, 1902. There are few hens that have excelled her in shape, depth and roundness of breast and body. Her broad, round head, fine lines over the back, saddle and tail and well balanced under-line, well rounded sides and smoothly folded and properly set wings, with moderate length of legs, go towards making a type that Wyandotte breeders have striven to establish in their strains. No. 2, the first hen at Boston, 1903, shown by Castle THE WYANDOTTES 53 Farm, possesses a nicely rounded body with quite firm texture of plumage and smoothness of surface. She is good in head and neck, which joins the back with a graceful curve. On comparison she will be found very close to the Standard ideal in many sections. She was also among those pointed out by the New England White Wy- andotte Club, as one well worthy of study for type out- lines. She shows grand carriage of her broad, compact body. Her head is carried as perfectly as any Wyandotte female I have ever seen. Her tail is at the correct angle of carriage, and her legs are the proper length. No. 3, shown by Mr. J. W. Andrews, was one of the first of the compact modern type that appeared at the Boston show and was eagerly bought after winning first (1898). From there she was taken to New York, where she also received first honors. She was an extremely broad hen, with short beak and head, short back, full, round, very deep breast and body, well carried wings, with tail carried at the correct angle. Her plumage was smooth and firm. She impressed one as being very solid and substantially put together, standing firmly on her finely formed legs and feet. The New York breeder who purchased her counted her a great find. No. 4, owned by Mr. J. B. Hadaway, Massachusetts, was a model in form for such a new breed as the Part- ridge Wyandotte. She was “round, full, broad and deep,” with a good head and neck, a plump breast, good back and well balanced under lines; she also carried her wings well. She was richly penciled, with clearly defined pat- tern all over—a thorough, up-to-date Partridge Wyan- dotte and winner of first as hen at New York, 1904. No. 6, the first winning hen at Boston, 1902, shown by Messrs. Mattison and Dutcher, Vermont, represents a combination of some of the best Buff Wyandotte blood in America—a leading strain since the Buffs first appeared. She had grand head and neck, broad back and breast, and well rounded sides, with nicely carried wings. No. 7, bred by Mr. Henry Steinmesch, Missouri, and the result of English and American bloods, is a splendidly modeled Wyandotte. Her neck joins her body nicely. The back is broad; the breast is full, deep and well filled. The tail is spread. The breast shows hand- some, clear, jet-black lacings. The wings and back are well laced and with no trace of mossiness. No. 8 is a grand White, winner of first at Atlantic City show, 1902. She is a deep, full-bodied bird, with good Outline of Wyandotte male submitted for criticism at the Revision Committee (of A. P. A.) meeting held at Niagara Hotel, Buffalo, May, 1903, with lines showing angle of tail discussed, 11— White Wyandotte hen of ‘rare neat- ness and smooth finish. Her color was per- fect whiteness throughout.” head points and fine, clear eye; prominent breast of great breadth; shoulders and breast nicely rounded together. Her back.and saddle are broad and the spread of the tail is certainly ample. Quite rarely do we find one of the type possessed of such a wide-spread tail, especially one above standard weight. The Wyandotte certainly would not look well with a long tail, but its spread should be suf- ficient to distinguish it from the other types of the Amer- ican breeds. No. 9 exhibits a first winner at New York. Her color presents clearly defined lacings over every section of the body, with clear, white centers. Her neck is evenly striped in each feather, with a silver edging just sufficient to make it harmonize in tone with the body—a very rare quality, most hackles of Silvers contrasting quite markedly. No. 10 was a Boston winner owned by Mr. Frank Dutcher and one of the evenest colored and most ideal Buffs we ever met. She is, I believe, the best shaped Buff Wyandotte female that we have seen to date—very broad and roundly developed, with short, rounded head, neck of moderate length, with full hackle that spreads nicely out over the breast, shoulders and back. The breast and shoulder round out boldly and her breadth extends through to the tail, which is well expanded to support the broad cushion and coverts. The breast is deep and balances well with the rear part of body, and all are car- ried on moderately short legs with straight toes. The single plate of the White Wyandotte female, No. 11, portrays a hen of rare neatness and smooth finish for one of her size. She is fine in head and bone, firm in sur- face of plumage all over, with graceful curves and sweeps of outlines; she possesses a deep breast and well-spread tail. Her color was of perfect whiteness throughout the web and quill. She was from an Iowa breeder and made a good record at the western shows. One expert who has a long list of judging engagements at shows west of the Mississippi, considered this hen one of the best he had examined in his rounds during the season of 1902 and 1903. The two small outline sketches of Wyandotte male and female shape were those submitted at the revision committee meetings, held at the Niagara hotel, Buffalo, May, 1903. The revision committee at those meetings were espe- cially pleased with the description .of the Wyandottes for the new Standard and were confident that it assured the progress of this valuable American breed. Outline of Wyandotte female submitted for criticism at the Revision Committe meet- | ing held at Niagara Hotel, 1903, id B4 =) THE WYANDOTTES f PRIZE YYINNING FF ae | BREDOWNED % EXHIBITED BY. ER LACED WYANDST TES ; | Bi EB TARBOX, | 77 CHICAGO -|90% i EO ENO ee Silver Wyandottes In the above picture Mr, Sewell has succeeded admirably in portraying the first pri cock and fifth prize cockerel, at the Chicago Show, 1908. The open white centers and ek bloc: jects fluff clearly indicate the high quality of these Silver Wyandottes, prize cock, second prize hen, second prize g which in the mature birds extend.to the CHAPTER V Color of Wyandottes Beantiful Color on Practical Form — Early Undesirable Characteristics — Modern Perfection Illustrated and Described with American and English Models — Detail of Color, with Illustrations of the Silver Laced Imperfections — Close Approaches to Ideals of the Standard and Attractive Fashions in Progress E WELL recollect the wave of enthusiasm over the original color of. the Wyandotte, that swept America during the 80’s. It was not the beautiful laced pattern of color alone that was responsible for this almost unprecedented boom, but the combination of such a charming color scheme on their compact rounded forms; such a unique ef- fect on so eminently practical a fowl had never before been a realization. Only on the diminutive Sebright Ban- tam and the Polish had our fanciers known of such plum- age reaching toward an accurate ideal. Franklane L, Sewell, Artist accompany the open laced plumage. Many of the earlier laced Wyandottes showed dark neck hackles, with the color mingled in a sooty effect. This especially at the base of the male’s neck was considered a very serious de- fect in color. Common Early Defects A too common blemish in some strains was dark or sooty color on back of neck at juncture of head. The Laced Wyandotte, like the Dark Brahma, has been pre- ferred with silvery head and neck, bordering the face, No.I-—A,_ First Prize Silver Laced Wyandotte hen at Chicago, 1908, Owned by A. & E. Tarbox, Yorkville, Ill, “Bright, contrasty effect, large, open, oval-shaped centers, very nearly the width of lacing in Standard illustrations, quite evenly laced and color well balanced as a whole. When we first became acquainted with the Wyan- dotte in 1884, there were many well bred in points of color with quite clear centers over the greater part of most sections of the body, with exception of neck, fluff and tail. , The “Standard of Excellence” for 1886, describes fluff “dark slate powdered with gray,” although there were many to be found at that time, showing considerable progress ahead of Standard requirements in that section, and naturally breeders fancied lacing in fluff when it appeared and bred it in the attempt to improve the char- acteristic and establish lacing as much over the whole \ plumage as possible. In neck plumage the Standard has always demanded “silvery (or silver), white with black stripe through the center of the feather.” Since 1898 the Standard has al- lcwed the shaft of the feather to be white for the reason that the white shaft in neck was found nearly always to é \ i B. Second prize Silver Laced wyeneere pullet at Chicago, 1908, In this pullet the Tarbox Brothers produced very clear, large open centers with lustrous black lacing, Their strain has won prizes at the large eastern as well as western shows. lobes and wattles. This always gives a most pleasing effect, the bright red comb, the face and appendages being nicely contrasted by the clear silvery white. One of the most persistent defects of color, a weakness per- haps it might be called, in the Laced Wyandotte has been the “frosted edging.” This is the most prevalent on the breast and shows more conspicuously on the Silver Laced than on the Goldens. Often in strains especially weak in this point, when succeeding in obtaining the lacing, to the very edge, obliterating the undesired “frosting,” with the strength of color affecting the dark edge on the feather, the “sooty” head and neck would make its ap- pearance so that it was sometimes a choice between the two defects. Dark Blood The dark blood that was introduced and encouraged during ’84-’85 and ’86 was far from an improvement of the 56 breed to those who sought for clear lacings with open centers. The dark color only covered up a multitude of faults, including the “mossy” colored plumage. Laced Wyandottes more or less are inclined to show “mossiness,” especially where light and dark sections join. As for example, on the tail coverts which lie between the open laced back and the black tail proper. Modern Dark Brahma Blood Introduced The few strains that received an introduction of Dark Brahma plood during the 70’s or later, had this “mossiness” in color of plumage much increased. “Small white centers” for back and “white centers” for cushion— the Standard description in 1886 and 1888 editions, did not tend to increase the popular selection for well laced backs in the fe- males. Light breasted ‘“‘mossy backed” females at that time were cheaply obtained and could be bred’ to the dark blooded stock, obtaining in the offspring results that approximated the Standard description. It can be gathered that stock thus bred was of little value in breeding toward our present day Stand- ard for clear black edged lacings, with white open, “oval- shaped” centers, as our present 1903 edition gives it for the back. “Web of feathers, lustrous black with large, oval-shaped centers, free from black or brown; the black lacing sharply de- fined and free from white edging.” The submission to these dark, overcolored Wyan- THE WYANDOTTES All the LAAHAgy No. IV—First Prize cock, Philadelphia, 1901,whichJudge Mattison said was best he had seen. Was a rare, clear colored, Silver-laced, with beautiful laced breast and wing- bar and stainless shoulders. Also winner of first at Boston. Bred by A. & KE. Tarbox, Illinois. instead of lacing all dottes became so complete, that in 1887, we saw males re- ceive honors with all but solid black breasts and wing bars, the only exception being white shafts in these dark sections. Truly that was the “dark” age in Wyandotte history and did much to injure its wide popularity at that time. During the 90’s great effort was made by the best breeders to bring popularity again to the beautiful open laced Wyandotte. Influence of Imported Stock It is to be admitted that a number of our fanciers found it advantageous to the color of their birds to make importations from yards in England that had kept and improved the lacing of the breed. Some of our breeders, however, were badly disap- pointed in the results obtained from imported stock of strains which had arrived at fine lacing by “short cuts” through out- crosses, that speedily affected open lacing, but being foreign to Wyandotte shape caused strange reversions, especially when mated with unrelated blood. Among the common weak points in many of the nar- row laced, open centered fe- males, with those bred in the *80’s, was the breast being much lighter than the remaining sec- tions. The breast was often very much too light beneath the throat and often showed lacing only at the ends of the feathers, *round the border of the web. This weakness still occurs sometimes in very narrow laced strains with clear open centers. It No. IlI—A. Pullet with one quarter B, introduction of English blood. Bred by Henry Steinmesch, Missouri. Medium open laced, with open laced neck hackles, A very clear precisely 1. pullet for one so daek. mee tiese lacing and pure white centers. This C, A first prize New York winner 1899, Neck color matching with join- ing sections, oP thie a Plumage of this hen shows a standard marked neck th i hecklé, Bee ae : rather small to display lacing to Lea A Chiceye eee Tarbox, advantage, Rear fluff and undercolor very light. frequently results when continuously breeding together light birds on both sides. There is a general weakening of the black over the entire lacing. In specimens so af- fected, the lack of contrast and especially of the loss of brilliancy in the black is observed. Brilliancy of Lacing is Highly Valued It is a rare beauty highly valued by fanciers to obtain clear open centers surrounded by a narrow lacing brilliant greenish black, seen at our leading shows last winter (1908), a pullet said to have been imported in the egg utterly failed in quality of color in the lacing; it was not black, only dark gray and without luster. This is far from the ideal “lustrous black of our Wyandotte Standard. When breeding for very open centers and narrow lacing, strong clearly striped neck hackles have not been easily re- tained, especially where the open lacing has been bred to the ex- treme. Color is distributed evenly over the female more commonly than on the male which fails too easily in top color when bred very light. (INustration IV.) C. S. Mattison when judging the Silver Laced Wy- andottes at Philadelphia in 1900, said the first cock the best all round bird of his breed he had ever seen. This fine male was bred by A. & E. Tarbox, of its inner edge running as near as possible parallel with the edge of the web. By far the best pattern of lacing THE WYANDOTTES 57 Illinois. There were a number more open laced than this one, but few so even in quality in all sections. Steady progress at the Messrs. Tarbox’ yards has proved their good judgment in not introducing new blood from many varied sources. When the tide returned for open lacing, as examples of their more recent breeding we can refer to the first prize hen and second prize pullet at last Chicago show, il- lustrated in detail, with outstretched wings on this page. The hen to the left is about as narrow laced as has been success- fully bred in this country, retain- ing good color in the lacing. The plumage is of good size and well shaped at the ends, to show off C Gray the lacing to nice advantage. The (Ty 17a 7 | plumage of the head and hackle is a he Coad J clear and distinctly striped, ‘the ; CCS | quills in the feathers falling back over the cape are white and those at the side and throat are open out into clear white centers al- most like the breast feathers under the throat, which join them, producing an easy harmony of marking. The pullet to the right, while not quite so near the exact proportion of color, shown on the Standard ideal, is black in all lacings and very lustrous, a qual- ity rarely possessed by a specimen of narrower marking. This pullet shows a safe, medium colored pattern, that will breed a large average of sound, colored salable birds. The plumage in this specimen is large enough to show off the clear white centers to good ad- of Petr rh Oe BEES No, II—Open Sebright lacing, The beautiful ideal that Wyandotte fanciers are striving to produce upon their favorites. ‘that he considered No, VI—Illustrating matching of the sections. B t wing and cushion present nearly the same effect in this pullet. Neck somewhat too dark to match the breast and We should expect to find the fluff more wing shoulders. laced on such an open laced bird. No. VIII— Young Silver Laced Wyandotte cockerel with front of breast showing nearly perfect lacing and “large, oval-shaped, white centers.” ‘comparing the breast of cockerel with the Silver Sebright Bantam (Illustration 2) one realizes that this ideal plumage is not an impossible accomplishment. Breast, 58 THE WYANDOTTES vantage. In fact, the centers of the plumage on cushion reaching onto the tail coverts are unusually large. Matching the Sections It is rarely we find the general effect of color equal in all sections. In very dark females, the neck has been No.V.—A result of ‘short cut” breeding for open lacings, almost ideal lacings on breast and cushion. Neck, fluff and thigh appear far too dark to match remaining sections. A foreign production of 1905. (Shape of this bird referred to in chapter ‘Important Changes in Wyandotte Type.”’) often much lighter and now-a-days on the light females, the neck is often many shades too dark. There has been considerable time spent in an effort to obtain open cen- ters on the fluff with occasional success. Most all Laced Wyandottes for several years past, have shown more or less open centers of white or gold, as the color might be, and quite a few point toward the possibility of open cen- ters being established on that section for the lighter col- ored birds. So long as dark color is demanded in under- color and tail, this section will probably continue to be a very difficult one to match with the remaining sections. On some very narrow laced foreign females, we have seen both fluff and tail almost equsailing the Polish lacing. However, one was usually conipelled to disregard the shape of these birds to imagine them as Wyandottes. Considering color alone, they were f::. advanced in lacing in all sections. It will be found on ex amining the under- color of the Silver -Sebright Bantams and the Silver Polish that their under-color is many degrees lighter than in the Wyandotte, while both the former breeds often show considerable brilliancy on strong colored lacing. This shows the possibilities when fanciers set their hearts on perfection in color. While we do not recommend hasty changes or too “short cuts” in any line of breeding, our foreign friends certainly have taught their Yankee cousins a. few tricks in that direction, which can with good caution in the yards of experts, be re- peated, with possible advantageous results. The above observations, let me warn the venturesome experimenter, are not intended for fanciers of only a decade. The Wyandotte has been in the hands of good fanciers for one generation and it would no doubt take another equally patient generation to make them over again. Models Showing Good Color One of the earliest birds to exhibit nearly equal color ‘distribution in all sections was the first hen at New York of 1899. C. in plate III. In all but fluff and tail her several sections showed color quite well balanced. The neck commonly much darker on most specimens, present- ed a bright silvery effect, sufficiently striped to balance with the other sections. The fluff of this bird was more on the order of the first Standard for the breed: “Dark slate powdered with gray;” only on the sides did it show some lacing. The under-color of this bird was excep- tionally light, and as will be noted the feathers were somewhat pointed and smaller than on others here shown. To gain the brightest appearance moderately large plumage with broad tips is desirable to display the lacings. A. in plate IIL, shows a medium laced female bred by Mr. Henry Steinmesch of St. Louis. Clear open centers _ No.VII -English Champion of 1904. wing-bar on male we have seen, striped and open centered, Showing best laced breast and Lesser tail coverts very accurately obtained throughout all but fluff over this bird’s body and the open centers of the neck hackle indicated a pos- session of blood that could be depended upon for progress toward still more open lacing. In B. plate IIL, is an unusually clear centered plumage for one so dark, n0 THE WYANDOTTES No. X. Male saddle feathers finely striped toward points, Perfect Silver Laced tips, B. Weak colored on right side, None of this group are so strong colored or lustrous in the black as in preceding groups. No. IX-A. Saddle feathers next to lesser tailcoverts with fine striping and accurately traced open centers, which Standard describes as “diamond shaped.” B. Open laced breast feathers accurately laced. C, Neck hackles well striped, white quills, allowable by Standard, are desirable for breeding open lacing. 59 60 THE WYANDOTTES mossy plumage appearing, fluff shows small light centers and the remainder of body sections match well. There is a clean-cut exactness characterizing all the markings that emphasizes her line of breeding as well studied out. The neck is just what the Standard favors and as near ideal as has been shown, “Silvery white, with a black stripe through each feather, tapering to a point near extremity of feather.” This female illustrates very nearly what our American Standard describes. She was second ben 1906 at Chicago, bred by A. & E. Tarbox. Effect of Short Cuts While taking up examples on color of Laced Wyan- | dottes, especially in reference to matching of the sec- aries. On most females, especially pullets, the centers are not usually large enough to appear to good effect and if the bird is at all dark, they often overlap the lacing and spoil the bright contrast desired. Lacing on Males In approaching perfection of lacings on male birds, we have not seen clearer or more accurate lacings than on the champion of England’s best shows of 1904, owned by O. F. Bates. (Illustration 7.) This ‘cock exhibited lacing on breast and wing bar of wonderful fineness and precision, goéd lacings in fluff, finely traced open centers and lacing on tail coverts. Another remarkably fine laced breast we found on a No. XI. Four feathers from ‘‘mossy”’ colored male and four from “mossy” female, tions, plate V. will illustrate the result of what “short cuts” will sometimes do. In this specimen, three shades are plainly expressed by the different sections. Breast and cushion are very light, wing medium, neck, tail, fluff and thighs very dark, which not to mention again the bird’s shape outlined in article on Wyandotte shape, gives this pullet a most unbalanced combination of color. The breast and cushion are wonderfully narrow laced, the black beautifully edging the large pure white centers, and one can only look and wish to see all sections so per- fectly marked—but the unevenness of the sections places success with this line of blood a long way off. Illustration 6, a pullet of fine narrow lacing and clear open centers, that comes nearer matching in the sections, was the second Haywards Heath, England, in 1905. Breast, wing and cushion are very uniform and the lacing, as on the breast and cushion of the preceding pullet, is narrow all the way around. The inner border of the black next to the white center is precisely traced. Too often the fine effect of lacing is marred by the lacing being too broad at the tip, and often this broad laced end is broken into by a sharp elongation of the white center, where the quill extends to the tip. A section in the last two pullets that is seldom open laced, but is clearly laced with good sized centers, is the sides of the cushion, low down just over the wing second- young cockerel shown by the same gentleman at Hay- wards Heath in 1905, winning second. (Illustration 8.) The front of this bird’s breast was quite perfect. The sides of the breast feathers which overlapped the thighs, on account of being very light showed weakness of color, as also did the wing bar. This is a good example of about how light certain strains of the breed can be bred before the lacing fails, and shows also what sections are apt to give up their color first. However, we may add that all strains are not alike in this respect, some we have known to give up first in the upper front of the breast. Detail of Color In taking up the study of Wyandotte color in detail illustrated by feathers from different parts of the plum- age, we realize our debt of thanks to the many well lnown breeders of our own country, and England as well who kindly co-operated with Reliable Poultry Journal workers and plucked in some instances, from their most valuable exhibition specimens, feathers to help in the work, adding greatly ‘to its value and interest. Others have been good enough to furnish feathers showing de fects that will help illustrate markings that are avoided = ge as possible by fanciers who breed exhibition Stock. THE WYANDOTTES 61 color is sometimes caused by the differing sizes of plum- age, it being easier to exhibit large white centers on birds possessing large, broad tipped plumage. For a number of years, at least since the fashion for very dark birds about 1887, the main thought in breeding this race ‘has been for “open laced” females and some points of elegance in the males’ plumage have received hardly their share of attention. Extremely light open lacings have not, as a rule, brought the best striped necks and saddle hackles in males. In considering the laced markings on the plumage of the Wyandotte, we always keep in mind that the lacing on both sides of the quill should balance, and as far as possible making due allowance for the shape of che feather, the two sides should be equal. The Standards until 1898 demanded the black stripe in neck of both male and female to be complete. Since 1898 the white shaft has been allowed and it has been a point pre- ferred by breeders striving for open lacing. In plate IX., illustrations are presented of lower neck hackles (C) and saddle hackles (A) which are accurately striped. The neck hackles show white quills and the saddle .feathers have the open centers, in the Stand- ard described as “tapering, diamond shaped.” The stripe in both hackle and saddle extends to the extreme tip, considered too far by ex- perts who prefer that the silver edge shall lace around the tip. The black “smut” show- ing around the edge of the white lacing is an overdone point, considered a defect. With this defect, however, the “frosted” edging to body plumage is not so apt to be produced and if appearing only slightly as on these well striped hackles, it is often lightly considered. No, XIII. Four wing ‘‘coverts” that help to form the wing bar, being the strongest From English colored for such open centered and narrow laced coverts we have found. Champion of 1904, In surface color the Silver Laced Wyandotte plumage to be the most effective, should exhibit only pure white and pure black; no intermediate colors between the white and the black; no brownish cast should show in the black and no stain of yellow or brassiness in the white portions. The tracing between the black and white should be clear and precise without irregularities, grad- ual shadings or broken mossiness. The Standard of Perfection makes the rear fluff the only exception to this rule, which follows the color of the downy under-color. The sides of the rear portions of the body, often termed the “fluff,” should possess as clearly defined black lacings as can be obtained, with clear white centers as large as possible. The plumage of head should be “pure silvery white,” the silvery cast, caused by the dark quills and under- color. The neck and saddle are silvery white. Fine striping should mark each feather of the neck and the saddle, commencing very fine at juncture of head, the stripe being in proportion to the size of the feather. On exam- ination of clear, accurately marked hackle feathers, it will be found that the black stripe of the surface just covers the webbed portion of the feather that clings to- gether in the fiber and that where the fibers separate the black does not extend. An exception to this will be noted, when hackles show smut at the edge and tip of the web. . It will be noticed that the apparent proportion of Plate X. presents five saddle hackles, striped and laced perfectly at the points, showing none of the dark edging in plate IX., but only . the center and right hand _ specimen possess sufficient color or carry the stripe completely to the fluffy portion. The second is quite weak and irreg- ular, failing completely on one side. Males of good sound No. XIV. Three patterns of male wing bar feathers, A. Very nearly as described by first Standard for Wyandotte 1886. B. Very nearly as present Standard describes. CC. What has been area by pro- gressive breeders and the normal mate for what is now described in our 1903 S. L. Wyandotte Standard for female. A truly “laced” feather. 62 . THE WYANDOTTES / color with the open centered saddle hackles and tail coverts and accurately marked in remaining sections, are much sought for breeding open lacing; without them it is hardly possible to produce open lacing with clear cen- ters. Plate XI., illustrates haekle, back and saddle four male and four female feathers of “mossy” colored Wyan- dottes, showing reversions to inferior marked stock. The mossy color is even noticeable in the speckled, light col- ored lacing that edges the two hackles to the left; the third, a back feather is smutched at the tip, the fourth, a saddle, is one-sided. in its marking. The fifth feather, a female neck hackle, shows a one-sided, irregular white center. On its left side the white lacing extends about three-fourths the way from under-color to point. The re- maining part of its edging which should be white, is dark. The under-color of this feather is the first since we commenced to describe feathers in detail of this article, that has approached the Standard description for Laced Wyandottes’ under-color, which reads “dark slate.” “Dark slate” under-color is seldom attained in open centered, narrow laced Silver Wyandottes, unless the quality of the lacing is lustrous black. The sixth feather shows the “mossy” center on back, that has given breeders of this variety so much difficulty. The next, the seventh, is a lesser tail covert from the same pullet; irregular, mossy and one-sided or rather not matching, in color, on both sides of web. The last example on this plate, is a large, top tail covert. This and the preceding feather are the most dif- ficult of all, to breed entirely free from the “mossy” markings and we do not know that a female has yet been bred that was perfect in this section. In plate XII., we have examples of plumage that would disqualify any male. It is too light and far toc irregular to be considered of pure blood; bred altogether too light—a complete failure. No. XV. Breast, (A) wing covert (B) and saddle feathers (C) (next to lesser tail coverts) from a fine American bred cockerel, Plate XIII. illustrates four feathers from the best Wyandotte male wing-bar we have ever seen; laced at the sides almost like a thread, yet lustrous in the black, tracing them completely round without a break. We can hear some remark “the lacing is rather narrow,” but think of complete wing bars like that, without a break. The entire wing-bar can be seen on the picture of the 1904 English Champion Cock. Old Style Wing-Bar Our American Standard in the 1886 edition, that first admitted the Wyandotte, described a pattern for the feathers of the wing-bar of males as illustrated in last issue of “The Wyandottes,” page 13, Fig. 20. As late as 1906 at Boston show we found a male possessing this spangled marking on wing-bars. (See first feather A. in plate XIV.) This style of wing-bar only remained in the Standard for one _ issue. The following issue pub- lished in 1888, describes nearly the same marking for wing-bars as does our present Standard (illus- trated in center feather B. of plate XIV.,) described in 1903 Standard of Perfec- tion, as “upper web black, lower web white, with a narrow black edging; wider at the tip; forming 4 double bar of laced feath- ers across the wing.” When we realize that this feather is. “laced” only on one side and solid black on the other web, and that the clearest and most open laced birds are not pro- duced by birds possessing this style of bar, it is sur- prising that our most pro- gressive breeders still tol erate it in the Standard. No. XVI. A, Dand E, Wing Secondaries. American bred Silver Laced Wyandotte. B and C, Wing Coverts. These are from a rather dark, pure, , Referring to the wings of the two females at the heading of this article {t THE WYANDOTTES will be plainly seen that neither of these fine open laced birds retains the old style “upper web black,” but that No. XVIII. Two feathers from saddle and lesser tail coverts, too heavily marked, the second inclining to spangie. From same male as A in plate XIV. both webs are laced alike in the bars, as well as on other pertions of the wing. This symmetrical lacing on wing-bars was exhibited’ as early as 1900 at the Philadelphia show, 1900-1901. Our . attention was called to it by Mr. J. T. Cothran, who ex- 63 hibited a fine line of birds at that show and won the special for best colored female. We brought the subject up when the Standard was last revised. The “oval-shaped white center,” since then has described the centers of the wing-bar on females, but it has remained for the exhibitor to venture progress in this section of the males, at his risk, when showing. That this fine section can be produced open laced, and that open lacing in this section follows the finest lacing on other parts of the plumage, is illustrated in truthful photographs of well known birds, It may be interesting to students of details in mark- ings, to note the peculiar similarity in the tendency to broaden the color near the tip of the lacing in both the full open. laced wing-bar feathe: (C.) and the feather next to it (B.) in the center of plate XIV., that is laced only on one side. The center-feather was furnished by J. F. Van Alstyne, of New York, and is a good ap- proach to the present Standard description of wing cov- erts (or bar) in males. Excellent breast feathers from a cockerel are shown A., in plate XV., also furnished by J. F. Van Alstyne. The color is very lustrous black and the centers quite well formed and perfectly pure white. The wing-bar also shown (B.) in this plate and the saddle feathers (C.) are glossy black. The saddle feathers are not even on both sides, but this is partially on account of the section from which they were plucked. ‘ The most perfectly laced breast feathers we have seen, were from the English Champion of 1904, illustrated (B.) in plate IX. The centers are very large and clear. The lacing equal on both sides and very nearly the same width all the way round the border of the web. The un- der-color, as in also the same section of breast feathers preceding, is somewhat light, judging it by the American Standard of “dark slate,” but as we made note of when describing plate XI., dark slate under-color is rarely at- tained in very open centered, narrow laced birds. In plate XVI. five wing feathers are shown. The left feather of the row (A.) comes from nearly above the No. XII. Feathers from (a cull) male very much too light and very imperfect and irregular, 64 wing-bar or coverts. The next two (B. and C.) following, are from the first and second bar of coverts and the fourth (D.), from lower down on the secondaries. The largest feather at the top of plate is a long wing second- ary. Each of these feathers shows the great difficulty there is in securing clear open lacing on dark birds heav- ily laced in this section. On dark laced Wyandottes the lacing is inclined to claim much of the feather, especially in females. These possess dense black lacing and lus- trous, even greenish black. The first, the left-hand feather, would show a good center, but for the blemish of black on either side of the quill, next to under-color. The next two show inter- THE WYANDOTTES Color of Plumage of Tail Referring to ‘The Houdlette” picture of a pair of Silver Wyandottes by Carlisle, taken in 1877, Mr. F. W. Proctor in his valuable article, “History of Wyandotte Origin,” points to the white lacing on the sickles of the cock’s tail. This peculiarity, not infrequently seen on males at that time, but since the first Standard for them, accepted by the A. P. A. in 1886, considered a severe fault, was even admired by at least one well known breeder at that time. White in the tail. as well as in upper web of wing flights and second- mediate degrees in the progress toward open centered bars. The fourth feather persists in the rule of wing secondaries of being one-sided and coloring the upper side mostly black, but laces very well the lower side, the feath- ers farther up on the wing like A., which are less covered, are more easily obtained, with open lacing and nearly always have more oval-shaped cen- ters. The large sec- . ondary is laced as the Standard describes. However, the dark color in this feather also is somewhat over-done and creeps over the quill into the white web. The lacings at the tips of the four smaller feathers are some- what wider than is best to secure fine lacing. Such heavy laced tips are too apt to lap each other and > cause some sections GR aries has been culled yy and bred out for many years until now at exhibitions, one hardly sees a trace of it in young birds and seldom in the tails of even adult fowls. Sickles and side hangers of the males should show glossy, greenish black; the tail proper, lustrous black, tail coverts, lustrous black; lesser eoverts, lustrous black laced with white similar to the larger saddle feath- ers. The tendency to- ward spangling, still occasionally asserts itself. In plate XVIII. two feathers; lesser tail coverts, from the same male that pro- duced A. in plate XIV., show how the major portion of color in some speci- mens will drift to- ward the point of the feather. In the sec- ond (B.) if failing in to appear blotchy. Plate XVII. ex- hibits one large and two smaller second- aries from a bird inclined to mossiness. This section and the tail coverts are most difficult of all to find free from these little dark pepperings that form themselves into stippled and penciled lines, that trace nearly par- allel with the edge of web as in the third feather of this group. Only by the most protracted, patient, persistent line breeding of stock, whose blood has been selected to eradicate this blemish, can anyone hope to breed a strain No. XVII. tip and showing ver ‘smossy” centers, lower side disfigure reasonably free of this imperfection. Perfect lacing with spotless centers, proves charmingly attractive on poultry and with it, perfection is among the rarest attainments on bird plumage. The lacings around these feathers are fairly well traced, but on the two shorter specimens far too heavy at the tips. Wing secondaries. The two shorter ones, Band, laced too heavily at _ Long Secondary A. well laced, but white or by ‘‘mossy’’ markings. - the laced sides, it is easy to see the large spangled tip. This ex- cess of color at the end of the feather is of course very objectionable in the \V,yandotte, the fine evenly traced lacing being the ideal. Neck of Female Perfection in the neck of the female is perhaps nearly as rare as fine open lacing, at least to find it com- bined with other desirable points. Standard makers have demanded “black stripe through each feather” and only allow the quill or “shaft” to open up white, in its at- tempt to harmonize with the nature of the joining sec- tions to be laced. In the right-hand feather (H.), in plate XIX., we illustrate what our Standard allows, (with the exception - the black carrying out on the quill to the extreme tip, which should be laced round with the white) an ex cellent feather for the back of the hen’s hackle. In A THE WYANDOTTES 65 _ No. XIX. signe examples'of female neck hackles. quill in white lac and B. are what one finds on the sides of the neck of hens or pullets that are open laced, and the knowing, tolerant judge realizes that it is a sign of good open laced blood. In fact, the kind of centers that breeders are striving for, and which follows open laced plumage. The tips of all but the two feathers at either end are more or less smutted. F., the sixth, shows a bad example of it, and this, if repeated over most of the neck would give a very smoky, mixed up effect, not at all pleasing. The third feather is tolerable, but weakly colored on the left side, also smoky at tip. D., E., and F. are mossy. D. is weak at both sides, with most of the color at the tip and under-color. E., F., and G. are irregular and one-sided, no apparent plan or habit in the nature of their marking. The two end feathers show character. Those remaining look un- definable. With plate XX. before us, the fancier’s eye quickly The last to the right (H) as Standard describes, excepting dark ng at very tip. The left one (A) a very fine breeding hackle. The others defective and irregular. observes the progressive change from the dark plumage, “with small white centers,” tolerated in the latter 80’s up to the clear open centers and truly laced edges of the present bright attractive plumaged Wyandottes. The two right-hand feathers (F. and G.) with their clear cut lacing and bright contrasts, out-distance com- parison with the two (A. and B.) at the left. The tips of the fifth (E.) and last feather (G.) present the oval form of lacing that the Standard describes as ‘oval shaped white centers.” This form of lacing gives the most at- tractive plumage of any type of lacing. Plumage marked like the third feather (C.) in many sections, is sure to look over-crowded and blotchy in some sections. We have before mentioned the severe criticism upon mossy pepperings in the white centers, so need not call further attention to the unsightly defects on the feathers so marked. In this group, however, the fourth and fifth (D. and E.) carry the mossy defect in a very different part of the center than on the second feather (B.). In B. the o. XX. Various types from ‘‘small white centers” of Standard of 1888 to ‘large oval shaped white centers” and “black lacing sharply defined” of the Standard of 1903. 66 THE WYANDOTTES No. XXI. From clear centered, but rather dark female with almond shaped centers, A very fine female to meet the demand of 1898 edition of Standard. mossing is out on the exposed part of the web, while on D. and E. the mossiness being almost entirely hidden by overlapping plumage, would be scarcely noticeable and not be regarded so seriously, even though the amount of mossing were equal. In concluding this chapter ou color of Silver Laced Wyandottes allow us to bring out the fact that “oval” shaped white centers as called for in the Standard, can only be secured on birds that possess large centers. The dark birds with smaller centers have ‘not oval, but almond-shaped centers, which are pointed at both ends as in plate XXI. Plate XXII: The feathers in this plate were furnished by J. F. Van Alstyne, of New York, a part of New York that has retained the Wyandotte since it was known as the American Sebright with as little added new blood as any district we know of. The back (A.), wing (B.), cushion (C.), and fluff (D.), feathers shown here are ex- cellent samples of a strain that produces clear open cen- ters, black lacing and dark fluff. The wing coverts (B.), possess the dark undercolor that the Standard demands and the cushion feathers (C.) open broad centers, The fluff feathers show good sized centers for that section. Three wonderfully open laced back feathers A., ap- pear in plate XXIII., handed to me by Mr. C. Preston at the International Show in Alexander Palace, London, in 1905. Such narrow lacing, almost the same width at tip as at sides of web, combined with dark under-color is exceedingly rare. B., a feather from the same pullet, taken from way down next to where the cushion partially covers points of wings. No. XXII, Clear open centers with lustrous black lacing and dark under color. THE WYANDOTTES 67 C. Breast feathers that appear well on an undisturbed surface, but very weak on lacing at sides of web and in under-color. D. Breast feathers strong in color, where feathers in group C. are weak. These three are from breast of bird represented by plate XXII., their slight fault being that the white center is pointed too much at the ends, almond shaped instead of “oval” as_ the Standard requires. Still it must be remembered that the ideal of “oval-shaped” centers is an extremely difficult acquirement, very rarely attained. In plumage marked with the almond-shaped pattern it is easier to retain luster in the black and to hold more dark in the under-color. It is no doubt easier to breed proportiohately larger numbers, up to this grade, with fewer culls, than when the difficult ideal of large oval- shaped white centers was adopted. The later Standard demands a rare bird, difficult to produce, of fascinating beauty and high value from a fancy show point. = No. XXIII, A, Three cushion feathers from an open laced English winning pullet. ‘ s f (In shape were very highon legs.) B, From low down on side of saddle were open laced, from throat clear to hock. Males and females of this strain next to wing of same pullet. C, Breast feathers with nice lacing around tips, but weak at sides, D, Strong color in lacing all arcuud as weil as very dark undercolor, breast of same pullet illustrated by feathers in plate No. XXII. 68 THE WYANDOTTES Ms iMesh! egike Xe a Se RELIABLE POULTRY JOURNAL: COPYRIGHTED + 1899. Golden Wyandottes, 1899 The above illustration by Mr. Sewell, gives an excellent idea of the type and lacing of Golden Wyandottes ten years ago. The centers of the feathers were almond-shaped instead of oval, and the lacing was broad instead of narrow under the 1898 Standard, the latter calling for medium centers instead of large, oval centers required under the present Standard. Mr. Sewell, however, anticipated progress at the time, by portraying abundant lacing on body, sides and thighs. 3 CHAPTER VI Breed Characteristics of Wyandottes Inherent Utility Values of the Wyandotte Race of Fowls as Compared with Similar Qualities Found in the Breed’s Nearest Rivals, the Plymouth Rocks and Leghorns. Defined and Well - Chosen Occupy a CGlearly Wyandottes Undoubtedly Field of Usefulness. Testimony [of Experienced Breeders and Specialists. F. W. Proctor [Ep1ITor’s NoTE: This chapter was prepared originall by Mr. F. W. Proctor, but later was revised by the editor and new supject matter added. Generally, the line of arguments and. conclusions are those of Mr. Proctor, to whom belongs the credit of authorship.] NDIVIDUALITY of type is with any race an essen- tial feature and a comprehensive treatment of the Wyandotte breed calls for a discussion of its points of distinctness from allied types. For ex- ample, what constitutes it a Wyandotte as dis- tinguished from the Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds or other American breeds. The trite say that “shape makes the breed and color of plumage the variety” fails to reach below the surface. The fact is that Wyandottes possess economic traits which sufficiently distinguish them from other fowls of similar appearance. Physical appearance .is an incon- elusive test; it is intrinsic worth, derived from the sev- eral types that were assembled to produce the original stock and that was transmitted through the outcrosses used to produce the color varieties which, no less than shape, goes to make them Wyandottes. A Wyandotte is thus seen to be not merely a fowl of a required shape and color, irrespective of pedigree, but is one which joins to these externals certain inherent qual- ities as to egg production, type of dressed carcass and yarious other thrifty traits. The essential characteristics of the Wyandotte are not confined to a single one of its color varieties; all are Wyandottes, at least in part, by virtue of descent in a greater or less degree from the original Silvers. There is some misunderstanding upon this point and we fre- quently hear it stated of this or that variety that they have no just claim to the name Wyandotte, by reason of possessing none of the blood of the original variety—a claim made hastily and in disregard of the well-known history of the several varieties, as is shown conclusively in the historical portions of this book. ach of the Wyandotte varieties possesses a share of the original Silver’s blood. However, it is not mere pedigree, but type conformance, that establishes them Wyandottes, so that the type is actually reached and legitimately reached, al- though along collateral lines. If we refer back to the origin of this breed we shall see how the Chittagong with its mixed Chinese, Malay and Dorking blood was an essential co-factor with the Dutch blood comprised in the “Silver Sebright” in evolv- ing the complex yet wenderfully balanced race we term the Wyandotte. Pedigree was imperative, but not neces- sarily the same pedigree. The Wyandotte represents a certain temperament, a composite of types independently evolved. Distinguished types, in any race, are generally the product of a blending of diverse and strongly individual- ized types. Knowing the Wyandotte formula, in the want of representatives of the breed we could again evolve it by recourse to the elements which originally constituted the breed. Thus we see how essential it was in creating the Partridge Wyandotte that the large influx of Cochin blood necessary to establish its multiple-laced plumage should be temperamentally balanced by the introduction of Dutch and Malay traits, and the use of Hamburg blood in the Eastern strain and of Cornish Indian in the Western, when amalgamated, typify the former creation of the breed and make the Partridge as truly Wyandotte as the original Silver, by virtue of crosses with blood identical in temperament and closely related in extrac- tion with that used by Mr. Ray in his original crosses to produce the Wyandotte. | It is by reference to the Wyandotte’s known formula of extraction that off-types are to be corrected. If ovr White variety, for instance, from a faulty conception of type, had been allowed to depart from the genuine char- acter shown in the Silvers, they would in such case and‘to a certain degree be un-Wyandotte and their correction would lie in breeding to the White sports which have never yet ceased to crop out in the Silvers, or even by re- course to White Hamburg and White Indian blood. It would seem paradoxical to say that an outcross might constitute them more thoroughbred, but we should re- member that characteristic type—not merely superficial appearance, but capacity for useful performance in a high degree along certain recognized lines, and not specific ancestry—is what constitutes a Wyandotte. General Breed Characteristics Referring in a general way to breed characteristics. the Wyandottes are truly distinguished for the value of their meat and for egg ‘production. It is in the carcass and in various phases of its development, such as rapid and balanced growth, constituting a preparedness for the table at all stages, that the breed is chiefly distinguished. The dressed carcass has a particularly neat appearance, the joint effect of smallness of bone, ample flesh forma- tion and skin yellow and of delicate texture—the total! effect being a well-rounded carcass, appetizing in high de- gree and welcomed especially by both the dealer and con- sumer. Wyandotte eggs are of a desirable market size and not too large for great prolificacy. As layers the Wyandottes are modestly described by breeders as “second only to the Leghorns,” though in well authenti- cated cases they have led the Leghorns by actual test. We shall particularize these desirable utility traits under | separate headings later on in this chapter. The consideration of a breed from the standpoint. of its dressed value is a complex proposition closely inter- woven with other useful qualities. The traits of meat 1 70 THE WYANDOTTES and egg production cannot be dissociated in a business way, because no amount of quality in either direction could atone for an unusual lack in the other, so neces- sary is a fair development of both flesh and egg values. The size of a breed is not more essentially «a dressed poultry than an egg consideration, inasmuch as medium size conduces to early development in pullets. But apart from the question of eggs, desirability from a dressed poultry point of view comprises the various phases of thrift, including adaptability to different climates and conditions of environment, in which respect the Wyan- dottes have won golden opinions in every land, constitut- ing them prime favorites in invaded territory even in competition with the best breeds that English, Dutch and French breeders have produced. The Wyandotte’s excellence as a table fowl embraces several distinct phases, such as, economy of production based upon general thrift, including returns from food consumed; desirability of carcass from salability based upon attractiveness when dressed, also actual quality of meat, in both of which requirements the Wyandotte ranks high;’ also a uniform development of flesh which gives a plump carcass at each stage of growth, wherein the Wyandotte occupies a distinct field. These qualities we shall endeavor to establish by quoting from leading authorities, following as nearly as possible the order above set forth. Where not otherwise specified these quotations are from the Reliable Poultry Journal Publishing Company’s new book entitled “Successful Poultry Keeping.” Thrift and Economical Production J. C. Fishel & Son, Indiana, breeders of White Wyan- dottes: “They mature as early as any other American va- riety and earlier than some. They feather out nicely and are always fine, plump birds at any age.” Edward E. Ling, Maine, White Wyandotte specialist: “They will stand heavy feeding without losing use of legs, and with their plump, stocky bodies are nearly always ready for market.” B. S. Hume, Illinois, White Wyandotte specialist: “I think they are the best all purpose’ fowl before the public today. As a table fowl they are not excelled by any other variety. For hardiness they stand the test in both hot and cold weather. As prolific layers they are in a class by themselves.” W. 3B. Candee, New York, White Wyandotte specialist: “Popular, good sellers, good mothers, and market birds for the farmer or for any one wishing to keep only a few birds; good broilers and roasters and will lay well in winter if properly bred, hatched and cared for. Attractive in appearance, endure confinement, are not flyers, stand severe cold and when ready to sell for table use they bring good prices.” H. H. Fike, Illinois, White Wyandotte specialist: “They can be brought to _ broiler age sooner than any other breed, their yellow skin and legs com- manding highest market prices.” Gus. L. MHainline, Missouri, White Wyandotte specialist: ‘They make the best broilers in the world; dress very nicely with clean yellow skin and legs; ideal] in shape, with plump, round appearance. They are fine for- agers, healthy, bear confinement well and their white plumage and attractive appearance enable one to get the highest market prices for them alive.” J. L. Jefferson, Illinois, White Plymouth Rock specialist (referring to the White Wyandottes): “They mature the earliest of the American breeds; they start laying before they are six months old; are the best broilers at an early age and are very hardy.” Otto O. Wild, Michigan, specialty breeder of White Wyandottes: “They are hardy, thrifty; in dress- ing the offal is small, and they are early developers, of just the right size and shape to bring the highest market prices, either alive or dressed and at any age.” W. W. Kulp, Pennsylvania, breeder of Single and Rose Comb White and Brown Leghorns, White Wyan- dottes, Buff and Barred Rocks, and Pekin Ducks: “The Wyandottes are the best in the world in the meat class. I have found them (the White and Silver Penciled varie- ties) good layers and large enough for the meat trade and not so liable to be killed by improper feeding as the Plymouth Rocks. I have had a good many years to study this and I think I am right.” August D. Arnold, Pennsylvania, Columbian Wyan- dotte specialist: “As near perfection for an all-purpose fowl as we have yet found. For hardiness, quick growing and laying, they are all that can be expected; for beauty, they have no equals. Their popularity is growing at such a pace as has never before been experienced by any fowl.” F. J. Wehrmeyer, Michigan, White Wyandotte specialist: “We have tried other breeds but after experimenting with White Wyandottes we learned that they are of more value and being finer-boned are always preferred by discriminating dealers. As broilers there is nothing to equal Wyandotte chicks, as they develop flesh rather than feathers. They will stand close confine- ment, responding readily to good treatment and when dressed are as plump and toothsome as it is possible to conceive.” C. Bricault, M. D. V., Massachusetts, White Wyan- dotte specialist: “They are the best for layers and as market poultry; they make the best broilers and look ‘well as dressed poultry; as yearling hens they do not take on too much fat.” J. H. Doane, Gouverneur, N. Y., breeder of Single Comb Black Minoreas and White Wyandottes: “The fact that White Wyandottes dress plump as broilers and as light weight and heavy roasters, or mature fowl, to- gether with their early maturity, excellent laying quali- ties, docile disposition and hardiness, easily commends them as the peer of all breeds or varieties for market poultry.” A. & E. Tarbox, Illinois, specialty breeders of Silver Wyandottes: “They are one of the two or three most valuable breeds we have and furnish skillful fan- ciers plenty of work. They are unexcelled as general purpose fowls. All varieties grow quickly, mature early, have compact bodies, are yellow skinned and well meated in the most desirable sections.” Irving F. Rice, New York, Single Comb White Leghorn specialist, (speaking of the White Wyandottes): “They take on flesh quickly and easily, have attractive yellow carcasses and, being white, pin feathers do not show so plainly as they do in colored varieties. Their bodies are plump and well-rounded at all ages, whereas the Rocks are all frame until nearly matured. The Plymouth Rocks put on flesh after their frames are de- veloped.” Arthur G. Duston, Massachusetts, White Wyan- dotte specialist. “I proved them fourteen years ago (and thousands have proved them since) to be unbeaten as layers. It was this mainly that decided for me as to which to keep of the five varieties I then was breeding. Afterwards, a ‘try-out’? in brooder house work showed THE WYANDOTTES 71 that as broilers and roasters they distanced anything else I had tried, making two to two and one-half pounds in eight weeks.” With due apologies to the notable array of masculine talent above quoted, it remains for a woman to sum up, most effectively, the Wyandottes’ thrifty qualities, in the following tribute: Mrs. W. H. Hand, Illinois, White Wyandotte specialist: ‘They are an nll-purpose fowl. They are of good size, are plump and in marketable condition at all ages after six weeks old. They are easy keepers, pro- ducing more pounds on less food than any other breed. They are fine rangers, though not bad flyers, and are heavy producers of good sized light to medium dark brown eggs, both winter and summer. They are the best. and gentlest of mothers, and are hardy and vigorous. The eggs are sought by the broiler plants, the chicks by the marketman, and the exhibition specimens by the greatest number of fanciers of any variety (White Wyan- dottes are meant) of the day. Withal, they are the most popular, the mcst profitable and the most. beautiful of all chicken kind.” Adapted to Cold Latitudes The whole story of the Wyandotte’s thrift cannot be told without reference to their adaptability to a cold weather environment. The fresh-air poultry house with its open-front feature seems likely to prove an important factor in the choice of breeds. The Wyandotte not merely in theory, judged by its well-feathered body and small rose comb, but by actual demonstration has placed itself in the front rank as a fowl adapted to rough conditions. Dr. P. T. Woods in an article in Reliable Poultry Journal for November, 1905, reports a severe test of the fresh-air system, and incidentally of the Wyandotte breed: “These portable houses were located in one of the most windy places in eastern Massachusetts, and the temperature last winter varied from 60 degrees above to 2) degrees beYow zero, often going the full range in forty- eight hours and from dead calm to high wind in the same time. “From these birds, all White Wyandottes, bred for health, the egg yield was exceptionally good and never, from November ist, until March 1st, dropped below 50 per cent. in spite of extreme cold and variable weather. During January and February eggs from the birds in these small practically open portable houses averaged from 90 to 95 per cent. strongly fertile and gave excellent hatches of strong, sturdy, healthy chicks. Most of these chicks were reared out of doors in February and March. with no other protection than that afforded by an in- dividual outdoor brooder and made a highly satisfactory record.” Wyandottes as Broilers George H. Pollard, in the Reliable Poultry Journal, has this to say concerning chicks at the youngest broiler stage and the Wyandottes’ eminent adaptability as a breed for that purpose: “One of the comparatively new ideas in practical market poultry is the production of squab broilers. Con- siderable attention is being paid to their growing and there is an increasing demand in all large cities. The squab broiler is a small, early hatched chicken which does not exceed three-quarters of a pound in weight and the best market and highest prices are generally ob- tained from the first of February to the first of May. There is a demand all through the summer months, but as the later hatched chickens come along there is a larger supply and the price drops in proportion. Any breed may be made to answer the purpose, but for the best squab broilers the Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks and other medium sized varieties produce the best birds. The Wy- andottes are especially plump in the breast and if prop- erly fed and cared for they grow rapidly and when mar- keted show the plumpness which is so desirable in small chickens of this light weight. “The squab broiler business seems to have originated in a desire for something new, and this is secured by serving the chicken whole instead of in halves or in quar- ters, as has been the universal rule where ordinary broilers have been served. In the case of the squab broiler it is split down the back and broiled in the usual manner and a whole bird is served with each order. The prices of the earlier birds are highly profitable and the retail figures are often as high as from $1.50 to $2.00 per pair, while the wholesale prices range from $1.25 to $1.75 per pair. As is usually the case the market for this sort of poultry is confined almost wholly to large cities, where the wealthier classes produce the consumers. In sup- plying this demand the uses and advantages of artificial incubation and brooding are again conspicuous. Each season it becomes more evident, that in order to produce up-to-date poultry in profitable forni resource must be had to artificial methods almost exclusively.” Arthur G. Duston gives his experience with Wyan- dottes as broilers, as follows: “After ‘summering and wintering’ them, I now feel that I would drop all other breeds before I would the dependable White Wyandottes. “Let us note their faults. The first is that in some birds, more especially those bred for extreme whiteness, you will find they are not yellow-meated. At the same time I have seen the whitest plumage birds have rich, yellow skin, beak and legs. In buying stock look for yel- low beaks and as yellow legs as you could naturally ex- pect at the time of year you are buying; that is, make allowance for a bird hived up in a yard, with sand to dust in, as it will surely bleach the legs to a flesh color. “Another trouble you may have with the Wyandotte, as perhaps you would have with no other breed is, whea confining a large number in a small pen they easily take up feather pulling. I think this is due to the peculiar way in which they feather. Some will grow to weigh one and one-half pounds before they have any but neck and wing feathers. Then the pin feathers start all at once, making the habit easily formed by the ‘chicken act’ of striking one another, or picking off any soft food that may adhere to the feathers. But plenty of green food will obviate this to a great extent, especially should the green food be freshly cut clover. Of course fresh clover cannot be obtained in winter, but well-cured clover rowen or cut alfalfa can be. With care, after this warning, you need have no trouble in this direction. “Regarding the white skin, I will tell you in my next paper (quoted from later—Editor) how to overcome that by the use of the right kind of food, making it yellow enough to suit any one. Now that we have seen the faults of the White Wyandottes in their worst light, let me extol their virtues as broilers, for they have many. “The eggs being reasonably thin-shelled they hatch as well as any you can get. “They mature as laying pullets a full month earlier than Plymouth Rocks, thus giving you eggs for early hatching. “Their clean, yellow legs. low combs, white pin feath- ers, (the white variety—Editor) and quick growing quali- ties, render them the best broilers I can put out. 72 THE WYANDOTTES “I sold hundreds to dress eight ounces (one-half pound each) this year and they were as round as a ‘but- ter ball;’ this being one of their most important merits, that when properly fed they are at all times ready for market. “Again they will stand all the forcing any chick can. If you try to raise Rocks and Wyandottes in the same pen, the experiment will prove to you this fact: Your Rocks will go ‘off their legs,’ while the deep-breasted, plump-bodied, smooth-skinned, active little Wyandottes will take their medicine five times a day and stand as straight as matches. Remember, it is generally the bird that can stand the greatest amount of food that makes the quickest-grown broiler, and must be the bird you should adopt, as every additional day means additional cost from labor, coal and feed. “T have written this article from the market point of view, that is, the sales-counter, as that is where our re- turns for broilers come from. “Now let us look at the matter as epicures. Take any one of the varieties mentioned above, and the Wyan- dotte, besides having the extra flesh on breast, caused, as I stated before, by the great depth of breast-bone, is as juicy and delicious as any, and, in the opinion of ‘our folks,’ more so—a dish luscious enough for a king. This is just my experience briefly set before your readers. If I have written anything that will in any way aid my brother poultrymen, I am satisfied. “One word in closing. Do not be in a hurry to cross your stock, as no one can make me believe again that there is anything gained by crossing, for there is no place that a thoroughbred of some variety will not fill the bill, and once you start to cross, where can you stop? The labor and skill of years come to ‘naught when you destroy the integrity of a breed or strain by crossing.” Quoted from Mr. Duston’s Second Article “To come back to the six to eight-weeks old chicks. We must now think of finishing them off. We examine them, weigh a few, calculate how much flesh can be made on them in about ten days, for as broilers Boston has no use for anything over four pounds to the pair. We have fed so much bran that as we lay back the feathers on the breast we say, ‘They ought to have more color.’ How can we get it?’ “We cast about for a way to get this. We know corn will do it, but we lose time if we drop off from soft feed to hard. The chicks won’t grow as fast and we must turn them off as soon as possible to get the most profit from them. So we put into the mash all the cotton seed meal we can stir in and not make it ‘salvy’ or ‘puddingy,’ as we call it. With a little treacle added we have accom- plished the result. “We now have a fine yellow skin if we have ‘not fool- ishly chosen a blue blooded carcass, but any yellow-legged variety will respond to this treatment. I would caution you against trying to feed this for too long a time, say more than two weeks, as the chicks will get cloyed by it and you cannot hold their flesh, to say nothing of making- any, unless you keep their appetites ‘up to the clip.’ This being such a rich feed, it seems to become nauseous to them. One would find it difficult to keep them on their legs if it were fed from the first. “We have now ‘forced’ the birds for eight weeks and have obtained what we set out for, viz.: Two-pound broil: ers at eight weeks of age. “This has been successfully accomplished on our farm with White Wyandottes. We have not done quite as well with any other variety. As I stated before, they will stand on their legs where Plymouth Rocks would be roll- ing on their sides with the same feed. “We put up two pens of one hundred and ten chicks each, and at eight weeks these chicks weighed two pounds each and a portion two and one-quarter pounds each under this system of feeding and almost the same treatment. By continuing the regular feed we have pro- duced five and five-eighths-pound roasters at fifteen weeks old.” Wyandottes as Table Fowls The high opinion that Wyandottes have won abroad, especially when considered as being brought into compe- tition with home favorites should be gratifying indeed to American breeders. The following tribute from Australia as quoted from the Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales (July, 1905), is an able summary of the breed’s values from the table standpoint. In an article entitled “Farmer’s Fowls,” Mr. G. Bradshaw writes: “One important feature of the breed is the fact that being rather short-legged and cobby in build, with, conse- quently, finer bones and a smaller carcass than the Langshan, Rock, or Orpington, when the latter three breeds, but particularly the first two, are growing a framework of bones, on which, later on, to place a big carcass of meat, the Wyandotte is growing flesh and bones at the same time, and if chickens of all the four breeds are in the same _fiock, it will be found that if caught at any time during the second, third and fourth months, the Wyandottes will be plumper and fleshier than the other breeds and always in killing condition within the above period, and, if well fed from hatching to killing time, will require no special fattening for either the local or other markets. After four or five months the other breeds will overtake and pass them in weight, but poultrymen being, like other producers, anxious to realize as quickly as possible, will find it safer to accept 4s or 5s a couple for four or five months’ old chickens. than to hold them over a month or two longer in the mere hope of higher figures. “In my articles on this breed in 1898, I gave compari- sons as to the growth made that year with Wyandotte chickens and others of the then favorite Langshan breed Since then I have experimented with several other breeds, and, so far, have had no results better than with the Wyandottes, except from a breed with which I am at present experimenting, the results of which will not be available in time for this article. “The following comparison of Wyandottes and Lang- shans appeared in the Gazette in October, 1898. The ex- periments made with Dorkings and Orpingtons were made two years later, but all were fed and kept approx- imately alike: — Weeks “Sances? Mangshans Orpingtons ee 4 8 8 8Y% ™M%, 6 15 15 16 14 8 24 22 25 21 10 32 28 29 28 12 40 36 38 37 14 52 50 48 44 16 64 64 65 60 18 72 74 75 68 “The chickens were carefully weighed each week, but - only fortnightly results are given. It will be seen that up to fourteen weeks of age the. Wyandottes made the mosh weight, the Langshans and Orpingtons then over- taking them, the three breeds scaling four pounds for each chicken at sixteen weeks. ‘The Dorkings were @ THE WYANDOTTES 73 puny lot and never did well, some of them dying during the course of the experiment, other specimens of the same flock having to be substituted. It should be noted that, although all three breeds gave about equal results for the food and attendance, such equality was more ap- parent than real, for while the sixteen weeks old Wyan- dottes were plump, fleshy chickens, with good breast de- velopment and quite fit to kill, the other breeds being bigger framed and bodied birds were, up to this time, but making bone, muscle and frame to carry the big quantities of meat expected thereon at six or eight months of age. “With this and the previous records as to meat capa- bilities of fowls, those desiring such essentials need have no hesitancy in adopting any variety of the now favorite and plentiful Wyandotte.” It is not necessary to go abroad to glean facts about the Wyandotte as a meat-maker. For example, White Wyandotte specialist, Mr. J. H. Jackson, Massachusetts, furnishes us this statement: “I believe the White Wyan- dottes to be the best all-purpose fowls. They make the best birds for market from a half-pound broiler to a me- dium-sized roaster, yielding what the market demands at best prices. They are always free from dark pin feath- ers. They have rich yellow skin and legs, are deep and broad in breast with close low combs. They are one of the best winter as well as summer layers of large brown eggs. They meet all the best market requirements as a table.fowl. They are as large as fowls may be and still be active, because good layers must be active and able to stand forcing. They also command the best prices in every market as broilers or roasters because of shape of body.” Mr. W. E. Samson, in the Poultry Monthly for May, 1901, says: “T used to head my ads, ‘10 pound cocks and 8 pound hens,’ and have had hens that weighed over 10 pounds each. But after years of experience and close observa- tion, I find that the too-large birds are not so profitable. I do not wish to be understood as wanting the Standard weight lowered, but at present it calls for weight suffi- cient to be of general utility. But to increase the weight one ot two pounds has a tendency to make the birds coarse, and off in shape, and when we lose shape we lose the Wyandotte. Let us keep shape above all.” The foregoing leads up to the discussion of a most essential feature—the relation of size to the economic position the Wyandotte occupies, calling for a short term of development to meet the demand for early-season eggs at a time of year when freshness of output is a most im- portant consideration in the average market. In this field the Wyandotte represents a special place iu the di- vision of labor among breeds, filling the early-season dressed poultry demand no less acceptably than the early-egg demand, and with a carcass of a quality pe- culiarly its own. To urge a larger growth of carcass im- plies a longer period of development, this destroying one of the breed’s most valuable characteristics. Wyandottes Compared with Other Breeds The distinguishing traits of the Wyandottes may be best understood when brought into contrast with other breeds. The Standard weights of eight and one-half pounds for cock, seven and one-half for cockerel, six and one-half for hen and five and one-half for pullet may be taken as fairly representative of the average weights at- tained. The Standard of Perfection states that “all ef- forts to exceed its present standard size have proved detrimental to the breed.” The Plymouth Rocks and Leghorns are the breeds most frequently referred to for the purpose of instituting a comparison with the Wyan- dottes. The Rocks are supposed to average one pound more as to each sex and age than the Wyandottes. The Leghorns are nct required to conform to any set weights, but their size may be approximately stated as averaging about two pounds under those of the Wyandottes. The Wyandottes may be said to come into competition with these two rivals, according to the traits considered. For early growth to broiler size and maturity of pullets for early-season eggs, we compare Wyandottes with Leg- horns and for adult dressed poultry and winter egg-pro- duction we class them with Plymouth Rocks. The Leg- horn may be said to fill a special-purpose sphere; the Rocks and Wyandottes are general-purpose breeds. To make: a nicer distinction, the Plymouth Rock by being a slower maturing fowl becomes a special late-sea- son breed, thereby yielding a larger carcass and larger eggs, and the proneness of hens to fatten after passing their first year constitute them eminently adapted to a short career as layers, to be put upon the summer mar- ket and their places filled with pullets. The Wyandottes’ sphere may be characterized as both an earlier and a more extended one, vying with Leghorns in early per- formance and carrying their usefulness through a long continued period. The Leghorns and Rocks may thus be regarded to hold special roles of useful performance, their distinctness rendering them impossible of substitu- tion one for the other. The Wyandotte finds its middle field a “coign of vantage,” covering in an eminent degree the others’ special fields of usefulness, and also repre- sents traits perculiarly its own. It is evident, therefore, that the field of the Wyandottes, as a utility breed, is well-chosen and clearly defined and that their value is of a high order. Not only have they “come to stay,” as the saying is, but their origination and development repre- sent a distinct advance in poultry culture. Egg Records of Wyandottes Different Classes of Domesticated Fowls Vary in Egg Laying Capacity, But Variation in Egg Production ie More an Individual than = Breed Characteristic—The Breeds or Varieties that Form the American Class Differ in Shape and Color Rather than in Egg Production — Wyandottes in Egg Laying Contest James Dryden MONG the general purpose breeds the Wy- andottes enjoy an enviable reputation as egg producers. In my experiments they have made better egg records than Plymouth Rocks; but I would not presume to say from any experiments that have been made that as a breed they excel the : ‘~ Plymouth Rocks in this regard, for if there is one fact that has been definitely established it is that the variation in egg production is more an individual than a breed characteristic. There are no doubt differ- ences in classes if not in breeds. For instance, the Leg- horn is admittedly a greater egg-producer than any of the Asiatics, but as between the different general pur- pose breeds or varieties comprising the American class the differences are largely in shape and color rather than in egg-producing qualities. It can hardly be otherwise, because in ‘the making and improve- ment of breeds the Standard of Perfection is the master and it recog- nizes no such thing as an egg record. As we find breeds to- day, if we deal with aver- ages, the Wyandotte will excel the Brahma or Cochin in egg laying, but will fall short of the ca- pacity of the Leghorn. As between general purpose breeds, however, such as the Plymouth Rocks of different» varieties, the Rhode Island Reds and the Orpingtons, very little difference if any exists or can be expected in favor of or against the Wyandotte. In discussing egg records of Wyandottes I shall give only official tests, or tests made under government or experiment station supervision. No doubt many well au- thenticated egg records have been kept by private breed- ers, but I see no necessity for quoting them in this ar- ticle. There is just one way of determining the relative merits of different breeds of fowls as egg producers, and that is by a multiplication of careful, disinterested tests of the different breeds, kept under like conditions. No impartial jury would accept the records of private breed- ers interested in their particular breeds in determining the relative merits of breeds, for how are they to deter- mine which records are honest and which are fraudulent or inaccurate, for out of the mass of egg records that are published year after year there are no doubt some few that are inaccurate, intentionally or otherwise, and these few would vitiate the whole. But it cannot be determined absolutely what consti- tutes a standard of production for each. One breed may excel in one test; in another test, under different con- ditions, another may excel, while in a third test with dif- ferent strains still another breed may excel. So that it = 2 The best Silver Wyandotte pen during the fifth year of the Australian egg laying contest. They averaged 199 eggs each, is only by taking an average of a great many tests, made with different strains of different breeds that we may form some estimate of their relative merits, and then it will be necessary to allow considerable latitude. The first extensive records of Wyandottes were se-’ cured by the Maine Experiment Station in 1898-99, when 23 White Wyandotte pullets laid an average of 159.5 eggs each. They showed fairly uniform laying, the lowest. record being 109 and the best 208. During the following year the Utah station trap-nested a pen of White Wyan- dottes, with a variation of 87 eggs to 216 eggs each In this year the Maine station secured an average yield from 80 pullets of 123 eggs. Much greater variation was shown in this lot than in the first lot, the lowest record being 10 and the highest 217 eggs. In the first lot of 23 pullets three reached or exceeded the 200-egg¢ mark, the records being, 200, 201, and 208. In the second year four of the 80 were 200-eggers, the records being 208, 209, 214 and 217. In the third year, ninety pullets averaged 124 eggs and produced six 200-eggers, as follows: 203, 207, 208, 217, 226 and 233. The lowest record was 34.. In the fourth year there was a drop in the records. Prof. Gowell gave as a probable cause of the lower jields the fact that the flock suffered for a time with colds. The. average yield of 40 pullets was 118 eggs; the ‘lowest indi- vidual record was no eggs and the highest 185. Later results at the Utah station showed an average yield of 149 eggs covering several years, with a variation from no eggs to 240 eggs each. As having a bearing on the question of transmission of laying qualities, the following results may be mentioned. At the Utah station one White Wyandotte hen with a pullet record of 190 eggs and a second year’s record of 150 and a third year’s record of 118, produced five pullets. that made the following records: 226, 206, 200, 181 and 138; the average yield of the five being exactly 190 1-5 eggs. The pullet that laid 200 eggs was mated to a male bred at the Maine station from a hen with a 200-egg- record, and one pullet,from this mating laid 240 eggs. Unfortunately no other records of pullets from this mating were secured. This is not proof positive of course of the transmission of laying qualities, but it is evidence tending in that direction and would be of value with further corroboration. Out of 23 pullets of promis- cuous breeding at the Maine station three 200-egg hens. were found, while five pullets bred from one heavy laying hen at the Utah station produced three 200-egger', the three laying 632 eggs. THE WYANDOTTES Australian Records Probably no other records of official tests offer more valuable data in regard to the egg-laying capacity of dif. ferent breeds of fowls than those secured in the laying competitions in Australia. Those competitions were in- telligently planned and carefully earried out. They had evidently the full support of the state authorities and that they were in the hands of skillful poultrymen is shown by the high records obtained. No records of laying in America or, for all the writer knows, in any country, equals the records of the Australians. Whether it was due to su- perior management or superiority in the fowls or in the cli- mate, we do. not know, but the tests seem to. have been about as complete as any breed test can be, and they are worthy of careful study. No one can study the records of the six years’ tests without being convinced of the fairness under which they were con- ducted. Tests con- ducted under govern- ment auspices ought to receive full credit and only in the face of positive evidence of inaccuracies or fraud should they be discredited. If we can- not accept published reports of govern- ment tests without a personal investigation of their truth, or without a personal knowledge that every egg was laid as re- ported, we might as well vote governments out of existence and let every poultryman conduct a breed test of his own and himself count every egg laid. This is out of the question. If any progress is to be made we must accept at their face value records of gov- ernment experiments unless positive evidence is produced that they are unworthy of credence. Granting the fairness of the tests without accepting them as determining definitely the relative merits of the breeds, we find in the Australian tests data of great value in a ‘study of breeds and of Wyandottes in par- ticular, The laying competitions at the Hawkesbury Agricul- tural College, New South Wales, have continued for six years. In three of the years one hundred pens of six fowls each were in the competition; one year 38 pens, one Hen 193 laid 203 eggs, hen 194 laid 169 eggs, hen 195 laid 190 eggs, hen 101 laid 216 eggs. 15 70 and one 60 pens. A study of the records will not be disappointing to Wyandotte breeders. It should be un- derstood that the Australians have not followed closely American methods of breeding. For instance they breed a larger Leghorn than Americans do, with. less of the nervous activity which resents close confinement. In three out of the six years the Leghorns made the highest average record per pen. On the basis of average number of eggs produced by the different pens of the different breeds the Wyan- dottes ranked as fol- lows during each of the six years: First year they took fourth place; second year, | third place; third year, ninth; fourth year, sixth; fifth year, eighth; sixth year, seventh. Consid- ering the number of preeds represented this is a very good showing. On another basis, that of the highest laying pen of each year, the showing is better for the Wyan- dottes. In two years out of the six, Wyan- dottes formed the highest laying pen. Tabulated the record is as follows: Av. No. Rank Eggs Laid Year 1 4th 170 2 1st 218 3 1st 204 4 2nd 217 5 4th 222 6 17th 187 The records show , great variation in Wyandottes, corrob- orating results se- eured at the Utah station. In three out of the six years the White Leghorns had the winning pen and in one year a pen of Langshans was first; so that the Wyandottes stood well among the winners. Four varieties were represented in the competitions, namely, Silver, Golden, White and Buff, the Silver variety predominating. Among the four varieties in five out of the six years the Silvers were ahead. In the fifth year the Golden variety made the best record, and in the sixth year all the varieties were dropped out except the Sil- vers. The average of all the pens for the first five years was as follows: Silver Wyandottes ......-...e cece eee e erent eee e eens 160.4 Golden Wyandottes 2.0.0... cece rere eee tee ete e een e ees 154 Buff Wyandottes 2.0... . ee ceee eee reece eect eens 155 White Wyandottes ........ see ceece ee ene eee eee nenes 146.7 In the second year an American pen owned by W. K. Hays competed. It took fifth place with an average 76 _ THE WYANDOTTES of 193 eggs. In the third year a pen of White Wyan- dottes sent by the Oceanside Poultry Farm took ninth place with an average of 183 eggs per fowl. Considering the difference in seasons and the distance these fowls had to be sent these records are remarkable. Another official test was made in 1907-8 at the Agri- cultural College, Roseworthy, South Australia, which appears to have been very carefully conducted. Seventy- five pens of six hens each of different breeds competed. The first nine pens were White Leghorns. The tenth was a Silver Wyandotte pen that averaged 207 eggs per fowl. Here again the Wyandottes were only beaten by the Leg- horns, and again the Silver variety excelled the other va- rieties of Wyandottes. The Silvers were represented by nine pens which averaged 178 eggs per fowl; the White Wyandottes by three pens which averaged 154, and the Golden Wyandottes by two pens which averaged 148.5. Evidently in Australia the Wyandotte is a popular breed and the Silver is the popular variety. In the six years’ tests at Hawkesbury, 498 Silver Wy- andottes averaged 160 eggs per fowl. Against this 594 White Leghorns averaged 174 eggs per fowl. It should be conceded that the Wyandottes, as we find them, will not maintain the standard of egg produc- tion set by the Leghorns, and this is true of other gen- eral purpose breeds. It should be conceded also, as was demonstrated at the Utah station, that the Wyandottes as well as others of the larger breeds, produce eggs at greater food cost than the Leghorns. On the other hand it must be conceded that the Wyandottes are a better table fowl than the Leghorns, that when the hens are marketed, as they should be at least every two years, the difference in the value of the eggs will largely dis- appear and that when the surplus cockerels are marketed the difference in the cost of food will be wiped out. But after all, the one fact that we cannot get away from is that the real difference in egg production is a difference in individuals rather than in breeds. HEN 195. THE MOTHER Pullet record 190 eggs. THE DAUGHTER Pullet record 226 eggs. THE GRANDDAUGHTER Pullet record 240 eggs. WHITE WYANDOTTE HENS THAT MADE RECORDS AT UTAH EXPERIMENT STATION Feeding Wyandottes for Eggs Food Alone Cannot Make Good Layers — Must be Bred-To-Lay Stock — Manner of Feeding is Very Important — Producers of Table Eggs and Eggs for Hatching Should be Differently Fed — Condiments Not Necessary — Regulate Feed According to Weather and Actions of Birds—Beef Scrap of Importance Dr. N. W. Sanborn HILE nearly all my twenty years’ experience in feeding poultry has been with Wyan- dottes, I know something of the breeding and care of other breeds. I early found that the best ration for Wyandottes did not exactly fit the needs of Leghorns and Plymouth Rocks. 1 realize that there is something more needed, in order to get plenty of eggs, than just food. The best feeding in the world will not make good layers out-of a strain of poorly bred layers. At the same time I know a little cracked wheat’ with fine grit. They would have under their feet, in the brooder, two inches of the waste from my barn loft. At the sixth day a small hopper of finely sifted high grade beef scrap would be added. Then at fourteen days I would make the grain ration finely cracked corn, one part to three parts cracked wheat. Lawn clippings, cabbage and lettuce would be their green food from day to day. Access to grass would be given on pleasant days. When brooder heat was no longer needed these chicks would have roomy roosting coops, have free access to cracked corn, wheat, beef that some bred-to-lay birds will do , Tr} splendidly along egg lines on badly balanced rations. The following is my experience with bred-to-lay stock. Thirteen years ago, out of one pen of my White Wy- andottes, came the eggs that pro- duced a flock of pullets that averaged 210 eggs each pullet in the first year’s work. A few years later, when I had settled on the Buff Wyandottes for my business birds, I got from one pen of pullets selected from a fancy standpoint an average of 191 eggs in ten and one-half months of laying. These birds laid more than this num- ber of eggs in the first year’s laying, but no record was ‘kept until the flock as a whole got to work. Since then I have had pullets that laid as many as 208 eggs in their first year, two year old hens that gave me 135 eggs and my winning pullet at Cleve- : land, 1902, laid 120 eggs in the spring and summer of her sixth year. This first prize pullet of six years ago is still in perfeet health and has laid this year over 100 eggs. How and What to Feed Given a flock of well bred Wyandottes, housed under proper couditions, kept free from lice and mites, what shall they be fed? This is a question that needs thought. At the same time, I believe that how they are fed is nearly as important as what they are fed. There are two methods of feeding practiced today and they can be used separately or combined. One is the old plan of wet mashes with other foods, and the second is what is known as the dry, hopper method. So far as egg records are concerned, no better ones have been obtained under one method than the other. I believe that the dry food method is safer to use, there is less illness under its adop- tion and it is being followed by many of the large suc- cessful plants. It is the method to follow where hired help of inferior quality must be employed. If I were to feed a flock of hens and pullets for a high egg record I should be glad to have raised the birds from the start. I should have fed the three-day-old chicks “GOLDIE” scrap and grit, and have as wide range as I could give. These chicks I should expect to mature into pul- lets that are lively, fully up to weight, healthy in every way, and ready to be handled for either the winter layer or breeder. Feeding for Special Purposes Feeding for table eggs and feed- ing for eggs-for-hatching are not the same problem. The business layer we feed for the largest possible num- ber of eggs. We treat her as nearly like a machine as we can. We desire to get the cream of her product in one year’s work and then replace her with another puliet. The producer of future generations of hens is never stimulated for eggs, is not rushed with a record in view, but is handled to produce fertile eggs, with strong germs, out of which will come chicks that are sturdy. To feed Wyandottes in the best manner to produce winter eggs you should pen hens and pullets apart. The only difference I make in getting eggs from hens and pul- lets is to have more litter in the pens of hens. This calls for harder work in the getting of the whole grain and usually they get less of it. My feeds, dry mash and whole grain, are the same for old and young females. The foundation of our feeding of Wyandottes is the mash. This is littie varied during the winter and differs in summer in having more bran and less corn meal. My females, coming off the roost in the morning, find a well filled hopper of mixed ground grain and meat. This is just the same mixture I use to mature my pullets in the fall. It is made by’ measure of four parts bran, three corn meal, two clover meal, and one of high grade beef scrap. The scrap is nearly all meat, hardly any bone and waste. This mash is well mixed, put into self-feeding hoppers and is always within reach of the hens and pul- lets. Along about 10 a. m. each day some green food is given. It may be apples or cabbage in the fall, mangels or carrots in the winter and turnips in the spring. Some- 78 ; times this green food is varied by a measure of steamed cut clover. An hour before sunset a feed of whole grain is given. This varies from day to day, corn being given one day, wheat the next, barley the third, with perhaps a mixture of the three the next day. I intend that there shall be at all times a little of some grain to be found in the litter by deep scratching. Enough is fed at night to satisfy the needs of the fowls and leave a little for the early riser the next morning. Feeding Condiments and Beef Scrap Very little spice is needed in our winter food for eggs. Black pepper and ginger,,with salt, are all the condiments that I use. These are given in the dry mash as I would use them to season my own food. I depend more on the pure, cool air of my cloth front houses to maintain egg production, than on the use of egg stimu: lants. Exercise is worth more than “eggpowders” in the common sense care of our laying stock. A cold week in winter calls for either more corn meal in the mash, ot more whole corn at night. The price of grain may make some difference in the selection of your food. The cost of things does not matter so much so long as you get the profit you desire. If I find my hens tossing out the mash in search of yieces of meat I at once increase the amount of beef scrap. This may be done in the mash, or a hopper may be. filled with meat scrap alone. With the coming of spring I increase the amount of green food, give less whole grain, and reduce the quan- tity of litter in the pens. As the grass starts and weeds grow, the females are given the use of large yards. The garden waste is thrown into the pens. Thinnings of all sorts—beets, corn, lettuce and weeds—find a use in the hen yard. The mash is made one-half bran, meat scrap is fed freely and the pens are cleaned of litter and filth. As the most important single article in the getting of plenty of eggs I would put beef scrap. This may not be so great an egg food as green cut bone, but it is easily obtained, easily kept sweet and it is handy to feed. It is a food so useful that care ought to be given to get the best. The difference in price between a high grade article and one only fit for fertilizer'is so small that it should never be considered in the getting of-eggs. At three dol- lars per one hundred pounds, a high grade beef scrap is a cheap food in the production of table eggs. If you can get fresh green bone at regular dates, at a cent a pound,. you will find it helpful in your feeding. A noon feeding, THE WYANDOTTES twice a week, all they will eat. will supply the need of ani- mal food. The dry mash can remain as before with al! scrap left out. : Given a bred-to-lay flock of Wyandottes, cared for and fed as I bave outlined, you should be satisfied with an egg yield of less than one hundred and fifty eggs per pul- let. Others are doing it. So can you. Since wording the above Dr. Sanborn sent us the il- lustration of his famous Buff Wyandotte hen “Goldie,” which appears on page 77. ; at Buff Wyandotte Hen **Goldie”’ This hen is the oldest bird on my Buff Wyandotte farm. Her show and egg record has been so good that she has never been left out of my matings. Her history is this: She was hatched and, raised by a neighbor of mine, out of some of my best bred-to-lay stock. At the annual meeting of the Buff Wyandotte Club at Cleveland, 1902-3, she was shown and won first pullet in a class of twenty-nine. As near as I could find out she was a great layer as a pullet, laying around the 200-egg mark. Being obliged to sell his stock I bought this breeder’s four best hens at auction—“Goldie” among them. In her third year she laid 120 eggs; in her fourth year 136 eggs, 59 eggs were incubated, 58 chicks hatched and 53 matured into quality stock. Since then, she has begun laying, each year, about the 10th of March, laying from four to six eggs a week, keeping it up till moulting in late August. This summer, in her eighth year, she has laid ten eggs in ten days and nineteen eggs in twenty days. She has usually wanted to sit in July but has been allowed to hatch a brood only once in her life. In all my experience with her I never knew an egg of hers to be infertile or anything except perfect in shell and shape. She is young looking today, visitors saying she seemed a two-year old. She has been shown at Boston twice, at local shows sev- eral times and always gets a place. I owned the mother, aunt and sister of this hen but they long since went to the place of departed hens. The photograph of her was taken near the beginning of her seventh year and shows what I consider the “egg type” in Buff Wyandottes. She is deeper in body than the show type of today and would not get a blue or red ribbon in much competition. She was the best pullet of her day from her judges’ standpoint, and Tam sure that from a bread-and-butter, bred-to-lay, point — of view she is equal to any in her house today. I shall breed her as long as'she gives me eggs that are fertile reproducing herself in any degree of merit. Trap-Nest Breeding R. A. Richardson N THIS article 1 shall try to give the readers facts and not theories, of knowledge gained aften ten years of persistent use of trap-nest. I have put twenty years of my life study in breeding the highest utility points combined with the highest points obtainable in standard re- quirements. The first ten years of my life’s work was spent in trying to breed the heavy laying traits without the use of trap-nest. I had at that time all kinds of theories in my head as to the ideal shape that a layer should be. First I was selecting by the shape of the head, then the shape of the legs and the shape of the comb, but all proved a failure and my first ten years was absolutely wasted, as at the end of the ten years I had not increased the average of my flock a single egg; and at the commencing of the next ten years of my life’s work I installed trap-nests. I then commenced. to breed along more scientific lines. My strain when first put under the trap-mest had an average of the flock, in egg yield, of 102 eggs for the year. After ten years of per- sistent use of trap-nest, I have brought the average yield of my flock from 102 eggs up to 197 which was my aver- age last year. This average was on a large flock, and customers who bought stock from me and kept them in a small flock have reported to me an average egg yield of 224. At the first commencing of breeding with trap- nest, I had a very large number of drones in my flock, some that did not average an egg a week for the entire year. Today I have decreased that number of drones so that they are now as scarce as hens’ teeth. My strain at the commencement of trap-nest breeding was very persistent in the broody habit; a fault which I have to- day overcome. That 50 per cent of my entire flock never show a tendency to want to sit and those that do show a faint sign are easily broken up and are generally back laying inside of one week. My first record keeping was very discouraging owing to the poor records they were making. They would lay from nine to ten or eleven eggs with quite frequent breaks between. Then they would make bad breaks going for weeks and ~onths at a time, a fault that I have overcome by selecting the most per- sistent ones each year. Now when my pullets start in, in the fall; very seldom do they make a: break; they will generally lay from five to six and sometimes seven eggs per week and keep at it persistently until moulting time. My pullets today make as good records in the winter as in the summer. Quite frequently I have pullets that make records of one hundred eggs in four months winter laying, and have had pullets that have made records in the winter time as high as twenty-eight eggs in a single month. My highest individual record is 272. Fifty per cent of my pullets are reaching the two hundred mark and over. The lowest individual record at my commence- ment was forty-seven eggs and last year my lowest indi- vidual record was 152. I find that there are three classes of layers, viz—the poor layer, the fast layer and the persistent‘! layer. The persistent layer is the class we should select to breed from, as this class of layers will generally lay from five to six eggs per week and keep at it persistently almost the entire year; very seldom breaking a week or wanting to sit.. In breeding with trap-nest, I want to impress upon your mind firmly the importance of pedigree breed- ing, as in this system of breeding you will be able to reach the goal more quickly, as I find certain individuals have a stronger tendency to stamp in their offspring the inherited trait. I also find this is as important in the male as in the female. To illustrate my point more fully several years ago on my place I had a certain male bird that I did not breed from the first part of the season, owing to the fact that I did not know just what his pro- ducing powers were. Late in the season I mated him to a hen that was w noted producer of layers. From this mating I raised three pullets hatched the fifteenth of May. One of them made a record of 272 eggs, the other one 267 and the other 238. The highest record hen that I was able to breed from this same hen mated to an- other male bird was 230; so you may see by this that it is as much in the male bird as in the female. There are some people that believe today that they make an egg in a hen by their feeding. This 1s a false theory, as all that- you do with your feeding is to assist nature to develop the egg germs that are there, and no amount of feeding will develop what is not there. If this hen is heavily fed and has not got the egg germs there, she will simply turn the surplus of her feed to fat. That is why so many claim that when they feed hens heavy they get fat. I find it almost impossible to fatten a good layer. To prove my statement that it is not feed alone that makes a hen a good or poor layer to those that think it is all in the feeding, I wish to say, in the pen that my No. 19 hen made a record of 272, was another hen that did not lay but 142, so you see there is quite a difference between these two hens. Still they both had the same feed and the same care. Two full sisters to my 272 egg hen, situ- ated in different pens made a record of 267 and 238. I wish to be understood that good layers cannot be poorly fed and still make their best records. What I mean is simply this, that good layers must be well fed and prop- erly managed to get the best results. A good layer may have those egg germs there in great clusters, but if not properly fed, these egg germs simply dry up. On the other hand with the poor layer, never mind how well she is fed, if these egg germs are not there she will turn the surplus of her grain to fat. In closing I wish to appeal to the makers of the Standard and to the judges of Wyandottes, and to the breeders in general, that if this craze for short blocky specimens does not change, just as sure as tomorrow will dawn, it will be the undoing of the Wyandottes as a util- ity fowl. Just as long as the judges will hang the blue ribbon on the most blocky specimen, just so long the breeders will try to breed their birds more and more blocky. And I say that the more blocky you get them the poorer layers you are making of them. I find it impos- sible to get a high record hen in a real blocky specimen Sometimes in a blocky specimen you will find a fair layer but they are the exception and not the rule. I find in breeding for egg production that there is a ten- dency for the entire strain to lengthen out in body. Never mind how much you try to keep them blocky, I wish it understood by this, that just because a hen is simply long in body does not make her a good layer un- less these egg germs have been bred there. It gives to 80 THE WYANDOTTES the one long in body, a larger egg cell carrying capacity. In regard to the improvements I have made in using the trap-nest I will let some of my customers answer for me. I enclose a letter received from Mr. G. F. Courey, New York. Mr. Courey’s letter read as follows: “From the fifty eggs I ordered from you I hatched thirty-four good strong healthy chicks. The eggs were set under a hen in a cold, damp hen house, under a mixed lot of hens that I had bought for the purpose; and which nearly drove myself and my family to distraction. It was nothing to go out to the house and find them all fighting or perched upon each other’s nest. I was greatly surprised when my wife telephoned down to the office on the nineteenth day ”~ d : and told me she heard chickens. And then to get thirty- four from the hatch of fifty eggs, all out on the twen- tieth day, under such unfavorable conditions, I consider an indication of good strong stock in the breeding pens, I installed trap nests before the fourteen pullets be- gan to lay and have an accurate record of them. Pullet No. 7 laid 28 eggs in 30 days of November and I have nu- merous runs of 6 to 10 days without a break, by different ones of the flock. Pullet No. 4 laid 100 eggs in four months and seven days of winter laying. This is fast and persistent enough for me, an amateur who only feeds dry mash and beef scrap with oats, wheat and corn thrown in the litter.” Baskets of eggs representing the number produced per year by pullets, hens one year old, and old hens. Fig. 1, Pullets; Fig.2, Hens one year old; Fig. 3, Hens three and four years old. CHAPTER VII Silver Wyandottes Admitted to the American Standard in 1883— First Exhibited at New York in 1884 — History and Picture of the Originator of the Name, by which the Breed is Popularly Known the World Over ‘HE special articles on Silver Wyandottes, contributed to this chapter by veteran breeders and well informed writers who have made a study of the history, develop ment, mating, breeding and handling of one of the handsomest and most useful breeds of poultry in the world, will be read with satisfaction and pleasure by all admirers of Silver Wyandottes. The illustrations by Sewell and Schilling should prove an artistic treat, as well as an in- teresting study, to readers of this book. _ But this chapter would be incomplete without ref- erence to the fancier who, some twenty-seven years ago, suggested the word “Wyandotte,” under which ‘name the breed is now known the wide world over. We refer to Mr. F. A. Houdlette, whose pic- ture we take pleasure in presenting on this page. Mr. Houdlette was one of the pioneer breeders and admirers of the Silver Wy- andotte and is just as de- voted to them today as he was nearly thirty years ago Frederick Alley Houd- lette was born in Dresden. Maine, December 26, 1840, and come to Boston, Mass., when fifteen years of age, where he served his time in a wholesale hardware store. In 1862 he moved to New York and remained there three years during which time he went to the war with the Thirteenth New York State National Guard. He returned to Bos- ton in 1865, where he was married, and has been in business ever since. In a recent letter Mr. Houd- lette gives the following personal reminiscences re- garding Silver Wyan- dottes: “In 1875 I owned a small place in the country near to Boston, where I took up the breeding of poultry. My first venture was in White Leghorns. I soon got sick of solid colored birds and immediately began to experiment on parti-colored birds, and it was brought to my atten- tion by our old friend Elbridge C. Comey and Philander Williams that there was a good opportunity for me to experiment in working out what is now known as Silver Laced Wyandottes. At the same time there were a dozen MR. FRED. A. HOUDLETTE (From a Photograph, 1909) or more people who were trying to make something oui. of nothing. When I essayed to take up the matter and look over the field I thought I saw a good opportunity and with my natural tendency towards system, I immediately began to systematize matters to see what I really did want, and from the very first my ideal of the matter worked out and resulted in the Silver Laced’ Wyandottes., ‘the bird of curves.’ Of course, I give credit especially to Mr. Whittaker of North Adams, Michigan, as getting nearer to my ideal than any one else. It is my pleasure and at this time a great comfort to know that 1 introduced and named and made the Standard for the greatest family of fowl there is in the world to- day. As the Standard ex- presses it, ‘these charac- teristics exceed in value all color considerations and are found in the typical Wyandotte at all ages, whether alive or dressed.’ The form or shape of the Wyandotte was absolutely my own ideal and I had the fight of my life to get my compeers to agree to it, but I saw its possibilities and the fraternity are reaping its benefits. “IT am a member of the American Poultry As- sociation and have been for a great many years. Originally I was an of- ficer of the old New Eng- land Poultry Association and subsequently was treasurer of the Bay State, and have been active in poultry matters as a fan- cier from the above date to the present time. From the very first my idea has been the breeding of util- ity, as well as beauty, and I sincerely believe there is no line of poultry today that can vie in these re- : spects with the Wyandotte family. They are truly products of beauty, they are great layers and they excel almost all other varie- ties of poultry as a table fowl. “My early recollections and my present acknowledg- ments to the American Poultry Association are that it has been a great benefit to the breeders of fine birds throughout the country. Without it there would have been a perfect jangle, and war, and no stability or utility in anything. Of course, I do not at the present time take the active part that I formerly did, as with my 82 business and my age I cannot do as I would, but I still love it and still have my poultry and breed the old Silver Laced. I have taken up the Buffs this year and think the Buffs will push the Whites hard for the first place if they are bred carefully. “T have a beautiful and snug little farm at Medfield, Norfolk County, Mass., twenty miles from Boston, where I spend my summers and where I hope to live long enough, as I have the room, to make the ‘Silvers’ once more the most ideal bird for beauty and utility in the whole list.” Silver Wyandottes were first shown as such in 1884, at New York, the following brief report in the Rural New Yorker giving the particulars: THE WYANDOTTES “The first appearance of the variety as Standard specimens was at the exhibition of the Fanciers’ Club in New York City last month, when the large display, new to the show room, and the black and white velvety plumage attracted great attention. The perfect bird was not there, the best adults, male and’ female, scoring re- spectively 8814 and 8214, the first prize winning chicks reaching 9214 and 93¥,. The awards were to G. D. Mil- lington, North Bennington, Vt., first and second for breeding pens, first for fowls; first and second for chicks; to H. D. Macumber, Truxton, N. Y., second for fowls; to Kate G. Ash, Lima, Pa., third for chicks. Both breeding pens were sold before the show closed, the first, going to Harper Bros., the second to Philip Timson.” Silver Wyandotte History Difficulties and Handicaps in Breeding Wyandottes with Sebright Lacing F. W. Proctor HE history of this original variety of the breed has to do with fluctuating ideals and their more or less successful embodiment. A serious handi- eap to its perfecting has ever been the want of a well-formulated ideal, and while, despite this lack, the variety is now one of remarkable beauty the fact that breeders have failed to reach a unanim- ity of opinion as to what constitutes the plumage pattern in its perfection, still acts as a handicap to the progress of this variety. The early conception of Laced Wyandotte plumage was of that degree of open centers which our present Standard’s illustrations convey, and such as found ex- pression in the original Pierce cut of Whittaker’s stock, reproduced in our chapter on “Wyandotte Origin.” It was the difficulty experienced in breeding this ideal to a satisfactory degree of perfection which led to the tem- porary. substitution of a much darker type. SILVER WYAN .. The above illustration is from an old wood cut made b: it clearly shows the Sebright form of lacing favored b carrying.—EDIToR,. 7 jud came a Standard variety. It also shows the Hamburg type of comb, man DOTTES IN 1884 y Henry Erdmann in 1884. The picture is not artisti ges and breeders when the Silver Wyandottes first Be y of these open-laced specimens were THE WYANDOTTES 83 Although the scheme of color of the Wyandotte is sufficiently suggestive of Sebright Bantam to have led to the duplication of the latter’s name, there are substantial differences between the two. As we have seen in the pre- ceding historical sketch, there is strong probability that the Wyandotte did not derive its color tendencies from the Sebright Bantam, but, through the Breda, from a much more ancient breed—the Silver Polish, itself the color ancestor of the Sebright, or from the early Ham- burgs, or “Mooneys.” This distinctness of color between the Wyandotte and Sebright, which will be discussed later, was such that breeders never went to the extreme length of setting up Sebright coloration, in its entirety, for the Wyandotte ideal, but stopped at the general eifect in certain sections. The early Wyandotte’s color, al- though persistent, was far from being thoroughly worked out. Certain defects of pattern were most marked, the worst of these being of direct inheritance from the nor- mal coloration of the race—a greater determination of the black pigment in the tail and adjacent sections, with its inevitable effect of smaller white centers upon the back, or the alternative of centers clouded with black pigment. The accompanying cut, reproduced from a pro- posed standard for the breed which appeared in the Poultry Monthly for May, 1881, well illustrates this ten- deney which found expression in the breed’s original standard, adopted in 1883, limiting the, centers of the female’s back to “narrow,” the cushion being given the latitude of “more or less penciled with black,” and the “wings slightly penciled”—a manifest concession to the difficulties met in breeding. Happily, this natural ten- dency of black to these sections has been in large part bred out, so that our present Standard gives the same color description to back as breast, a requirement which is substantiated in many of our present-day specimens. The difficulties which beset the early breeders of the Wyandotte were of the most complex sort. There was the lack of fixity of color in the race, the result of previous haphazard breeding, a grave obstacle to the overcoming of which was the difficulty of outlining, in advance of long experience in actual breeding, a standard which should suitably embody the correct ideal. Prob- ably the ablest exponent of correct breeding at that early day—which, considering the developments of twenty-five years has stood the test of time remarkably well—was B. N. Pierce’s “Poultry Culture,” containing 82 pages, with 38 original illustrations, a work still of rare interest, and the tenets of which, could they have been heeded, would have saved the breed the disadvantage that later over- took it. From this book we reproduce the accompanying cuts. This male and female (see Cut B) set forth the best conception of the breed at that day under the hand of one whose work in the combined role of fancier and delineator stood unrivalled. A comparison of these with our modern types is not without historic interest. Bar- ring some angularities and differing fashions of pose, the physical type is essentially that of today. The modern development of lacing had not then reached the fluff, but in proportional width of lacing these specimens might well have stood for models from that day to this. The cut which stands at the head of the chapter on Wy- andotte history appeared in the Poultry Monthly in 1884, and shows a conventionalized color treatment and undue proportional length not in actual vogue at that period, but calculated by owner or artist to boom the ideal. This . cut was much admired at the time of its appearance and therefore possesses historical interest. The misfortunes that early overtook the breed may be ascribed to commercial considerations. Too mueh prosperity at first put a good price upon any stock that could boast even a collateral relationship to the breed and the market was deluged with poor Wyandottes. The Standard, broad in its scope as befitted a new breed with CUT B.—PIERCE TYPE OF SILVKR WYANDOTTES, 1886. 84 a perplexing color scheme, was found to yield a construc- tion far removed from the original conception of the breed as a laced fowl. This was accomplished by the “eutting for defects” system of judging. The ruling in favor of small white centers—quite illogical in the light of the original ideal—was rendered plausible by the Standard’s latitude in color and the fact that the smaller centers presented fewer defects as to foreign color than the more ideal large centers. The accompanying cut (Fig. C) shows the extreme to which the fad for dark color had been carried in 1888, five years following the adoption of the earliest Standard, the preceding cut hav-. THE WYANDOTTES to perfect the color in either section. No one has ever suggested the substitution of Sebright hackle upon the Wyandotte, involving the hen-plumaged male type, which is held to be subversive of vigor. ° Of a different nature, however, are the possibilities of still further harmonizing the Laced Wyandotte’s color by following the Sebright’s lead in the matter of a white tail, barring the lacing of black. As we have seen, much progress has already been made since the breed’s incep- tion, by extending the white centers into sections which previously had been black. If this suggested change , should ever become the vogue, fanciers will realize—as HAWKINS’ SILVER WYANDOTTES, 1888. The small-centered or dark colored type, popular with many breeders at that time, ing appeared three years earlier. These two are repro- duced from “Poultry Monthly.” With the disappearance of the score-card and a return to the comparison method of estimating Standard values, beauty was again in the ascendance and a reaction toward the original open-laced type was immediate. The superior beauty of English specimens became recognized and imported stock was re- sorted to with clear advantage to the breed. Taking up the question of the Silver Laced Wyan- dotte’s ultimate ideal, it must be admitted that this is a matter for the distant future. We often hear the ex- pression “Sebright lacing’? applied to the lighter laced Wyandottes. Even the narrowest lacing ever bred upon the Wyandotte is so far removed in degree from the Sebright’s “narrow edging” as quite to dissociate the two, but there their distinctness only begins. The ban- tam’s perfection of color is. only possible in the fact that art has superseded nature in thé matter of hackle color- ation, reversing the natural order of the Wyandotte, which is made possible only by the “henny” habit of plumage, allowing Nature to work out unhampered a uni- form pattern in all sections of plumage. Contrariwise in the Wyandotte, the conflicting coloration of hackles (also saddles of males) with the other sections is a constant factor of discord, tending to nullify the efforts of nature in the case of the original attempt to make a double spangled wing-covert the rule upon the male, which later had to be abandoned in favor of wings to match other sections—that previous efforts had been worse than wasted in stamping out tendencies to white in tail. It is such points as these that remind us of the manifest ad-- vantage, if such were feasible, in outlining a breed’s ulti- mate ideal in advance of the experimental work of which the ideal is an outgrowth. But to the practical breeder the foregoing are abstractions. Not so with the question of how wide the lacing should be. And here the matter of a solid black tail as- serts itself, for to every careful breeder the problem of the relative color between sections of the plumage must appeal in this form: If the Sebright Bantam, whose lacing constitutes but an “edging” of black, appears so beautiful, why should not the narrowest lacing possible for a Wyandotte be equally pleasing? The logical answer to our question is that the lighter the breast, in conjune- tion with a solid black tail, the more glaring the lack of color balance, fore and aft. Here we have a fine opportunity for constructive breeding. First, breed the tail to white centers, involving & lightening up of the fluff to match the forward sections. With -this accomplished, there would remain no natrral THE WYANDOTTES 85 limitation to the Sebright’s narrow “edging,” if such were desired. But considering the still unfixed status of the breed, an ultra-light lacing is of questionable taste and expediency. There would seem to be a preponder- ance of argument that our Standard models embody a degree of openness of centers unwarranted by textual authority and dangerously near the Sebright in type. The Sebright’s plumage is described as primarily white, with modifications; the Wyandotte’s primarily black, with modifications. The Standard fails to specify whether its pictorial models are intended to harmonize and supplant former possible constructions of its text, or the text is to remain operative and inspire future changes in its cuts. The phrase, “large oval-shaped white centers,” is sufficiently explicit so far as words may go, but if a series of sketches graduated as to size of the centers could be submitted broadcast to the breeders of the laced varieties and the Standard model were then adapted to such a consensus of general opinion, a more authoritative and enduring type of ideal laced plumage could be secured. The laced Wyandottes have remained prime favorites with a few consistent fanciers through all the allure- ments offered by the newer varieties—a state of affairs which has been promoted by an encouraging degree of advancement in their breeding qualities. It would seem as though the enhanced possibilities of beauty that would follow an increased uniformity of color are all that is required to bring about an awakening of interest which should place this oldest of Wyandotte varieties in the front rank of popularity. FIG, C.—LENKER’S SILVER WYANDOTTES, 1888. iS The extreme dark type which become a fad with some breeders. oad Silver Wyandottes of the Past, Present and Future A History of the Early Years of Wyandotte Popularity, their Boom and Decline— Changes in Standard Requirements for the Breed W. E. Samson We began to breed Wyandottes in 1885, but our asso- ciations and dealings with the older breeds dates back several years prior to this time. In our article we shall describe the incidents in the former years of the Wyan- dotte history. their boom, decline, the change in Standard and the difference of opinion of breeders and exhibitors. No variety of fowls has ever had such diversity of opinion among its breeders, and some certain width or propor- tion of the feathers in regard to how much white and how much black is standard, should be adopted, but this is a matter we wish to mention later on. . When the Silvers were admitted to the Standard they these large males with good saddles had stubs on their legs, while their eyes and head showed the Brahma bloed, but the saddles were improved and the black put on that metallic lustre. The Requirements of the Old Standard The Standard called for a spangled bar. What an error to think of a spangled bar with a laced breast. It would be just as reasonable to have the wing of the fe- male spangled and her breast laced.. The writer paid no attention to the Standard in this respect, but tried from FEATHERS OF FAMOUS ENGLISH WYANDOTTES. The breast feathers illustrated on the right were taken from ‘Domino’, the great English cup winner, for two years f i = dotte. Those on the left are taken from the saddle of ‘Mrs. Domino”, mate to above male. These athens were sent to ne by Free a. Howlin, who obtained them in England several years ago.—EbDIToR. had reached a form quite distinct; in fact, some of the females would rival many of the females that are shown today in shape. Their breasts were fairly well laced but their backs and cushions were far from what was desired. In most cases, across their backs they were merely spangled or splashed and the cushions very gray. They lacked that clear black and white—the black was more one dark slate in color which gave them a grayish ap- pearance and the edge of the feathers was frosted. The males then resembled the Dark Brahmas quite materially or the Partridge Wyandotte of today, as many had solid black breasts and the wing bars on some were solid black, others had merely a small strip of white in the breast feathers, not much larger than the shaft of the feathers, while their backs were mixed with black and brown. The idea was advanced to introduce Dark Brahma blood to perfect the saddles of the males and the Ham burg to improve the clear black and white of the female. With some strains this, we believe, was done as many of his first mating to produce the laced wing bar and in the year 1858 furnished the first prize cockerel for the Chi- cago show, with a fine laced bar: also showing one at Pittston, Pa., in 1893, with a pericct laced bar that Mr. J. Y. Bicknell referred to in the American Fancier as “a model specimen” in nearly every case. When the bar was spangled the lower part of the breast proved the same, while few showed the clean cut lacing. The first Standard was very indefinite in regard to what proportion of the feather the white center should be and breeders bred differently. Some very dark and some very light, and about 1887 to 1890 came the cry, “You are breeding your Wyandottes too light.” The mul- titude followed the cry and as a result the majority of the females were seen with a mean, narrow, white, center and in the leading poultry papers, viz., Poultry World, Poultry Raising, Poultry Bulletin, Poultry Monthly, etc., could be seen advertisements by the score of the dark birds. With this change the back of the male was not improved. THE WYANDOTTES 87 We are glad to note there were a few considerate breeders like Dr. A. T. Beckett, Rev. Frank Parsons, Messrs. Wesley Barton, Jones Wilcox, F. L. Mattison, J. D. Tomkins, J. C. Jodrey, and others that did not follow the multitude. We had a partner at that time who seemed to admire the dark birds so he selected them and we took the lighter ones. During these years most females as they molted to hens became very gray, especially over the cushion, while the males held their color better and “a female that molted clear was worth her weight in silver.” These were kept by the wise breeders regardless of age as long as they would lay. The Wyandotte Boom When the Wyandottes were admitted to the Standard in 1883 the boom that had been rising in anticipation of this event spread with increasing speed. The poultry pa- pers were full of adver- tisements of the Wyan- dottes. It seemed that everybody had them an: everybody wanted them. The men who carried large ads. were months behind with their orders and there seemed to be such a wide difference be- tween some flocks. We could hardly call them strains then, and by the year 1886 the poorest specimens could be seen, and eggs from such that had been foisted upon the unsuspecting public began to show how poor Valuable Market Fowl The writer, when he began to breed them, and sub- sequently, had charge of a large general store where he used to handle from one to two hundred dozen eggs per day and large ‘quantities of live and dressed powultry— we have handled over three tons in a single day—which gave us a good schooling in this line. We handled many of the recognized breeds, both alive and dressed, and several crosses, besides eggs from same. We shipped to the different markets including New York City. We did not find a breed that so completely filled the bill as. the Wyandotte. Such round, plump bodies and their size ‘seemed to be just right. When shipping live poultry we have had commission men write us, “Can you not ship us more Silver Wyandottes? We can get 2 cents per pound more for them. Try and ship us more of them in your next ship- ment.” We have weighed their eggs in comparison with larger breeds and find there are none that will average larger. After reading an article by Mr. Felech some years ago about the Wyandotte lay- ing small eggs, we se- lected one dozen eggs from a neighbor who kept Light Brahmas, and Brahma and Barred Rock crosses. We selected the largest in each case and were many that were being used in the breed- ine pens. ‘Some unprin- cipled breeders sent out anything that was speckled; these were bred and because they would not reproduce themselves or somethfng better, were discarded by the majority. The Wyandottes were condemned when they really were not breeding Wyan- dottes. ‘ One “Great Goliath” of Binghamton, N. Y., claimed to have made over five thousand dollars in one year on them, and it has been stated by a reliable source that he did not breed a chick, but purchased them of farmers and sold at long prices. The writer saw those that he had sold to several parties; they had feathered legs, single combs, and no lacing to speak of. These things came near proving the Wyandotte’s ruin, and it did seem in a short time on looking over the poultry papers for the former advertisers that there had been a big funeral. What had become of the crowd? Many saw they had not the “simon pure” and gave them up. Only the cool, de- termined persistence of a few of the early breeders, who, knowing the real merits of their favorites adhered to the plan of mating and shipped good specimens, saved the day. : England.—EDITOR, FEATHERS OF ENGLISH MALH. The above feathers were taken from the hackle, breast, saddle and wing bow-tips of the English Silver Wyandotte cock ‘‘Karl Spencer”, purchased by Fred, A, Houdlette of W. Allen Spencer, found the Wyandotte eggs weighing 30 ounces to’ the dozen and the Light Brahma and Rock cross to weigh 28 ounces —2 ounces in favor of the Wyandotte. Egg Record of Wyandotte Females We find that by reeord kept at our former home. over 2,000 feet above sea level, and one of the coldest places in the state, fourteen hens and pullets laid 249 eggs in February, twenty-eight days. One pullet laid five days in succession. Thirty-five hens and pullets 775 eggs in January. These thirty-five were some full blood Silvers and some Silver crosses. We find that no fowls that rear their own young will surpass them in number or quality of eggs. We have had hens we kept the second year and during the two seasons they never showed any signs of broodiness, but kept up the laying. This we know is an exception. There is no better fowl raised for table use. Their meat is of the highest quality. Wyandotte Shape It has been stated that the Wyandotte is a fowl of curves and “travels on its shape.” “Shape makes the breed, while color designates the variety.” We consider the first point a judge should consider is shape. How 88 THE WYANDOTTES - ; FEATHERS OF ENGLISH MALE pA The feathers are taken from the following sections of the noted pueliah winners, Middlesex. 2nd: Top tow beginning at left: hackle, back, saddle and sides; middle row: top, center-and lower breast; lower row: body and thigh. ‘The black lacing was not as sharp ‘as it should be, showing mossing; the same defect being noticeable in the striping of hackle. Fred. A. Houdlette furnished ‘these feathers.—EDiTOR. often is it the case that the judge has been carried away iby lacing, while the shape has been lost sight of entirely. .\t a recent New York show the first and second prize ‘pullets (Silver Wyandottes) eee eos a ba quite as ‘ eall today “small centers.” well as a Wyandotte. True, the pirds were well laced in all sections, but had long, snake heads with roach backs and most of the time did not carry their tails’ on a level with their backs. The best one of these ways shown at Seranton and did not get a mention, while an old, well-known judge remarked, “If you breed turkeys, breed them—if Wyandottes, breed them.” This off-shape came principally when English blood was introduced, How many thought they would reach the goal by a single cross of the English with the American blood. The writer confesses to. be guilty in the same respect. Our: first trial was as follows: Results of the English Cross Mr. F. A. Houdlette, who gave the Wyandottes their first name and to whom we referred in our former ar- ticle as being a joint breeder with the writer, went abroad and purchased a cockerel of Messrs. Spencer Bros., of England, about the year 1899. . This cockerel _ was a son of “Earl Spencer” which we understand was a winner of first and special at the Crystal Palace show, and was a wonderful bird in lacing from the throat to the last feather on hock and over the thighs. He was mated to a female that was as nearly perfect in shape as - could be found, and by the way, the best in shape the writer has seen in his twenty-one years’ experience. The writer furnished six of the females; Mr. Houdlette supplied some and the cockerel. The females in this mating were of the medium centers or what we would From this mating we ob- tained a few pullets that were fairly well marked and of a lighter order, but the best marked pullet had nearly a solid-black hackle. The cockerels were well laced on * breast, thighs and hock, but were poor in hackle and saddle. In most cases the saddle. would be very smoky: the necks were long and more of the shape of a Lang- shan than a Wyandotte—several chicks came pure white. ., There seemed to be such a difference in the shape of th+ : progeny from the one mating. We selected the best ’ cockerel from this mating for our mating another sea- son and with him we placed females like our first mating, the true Wyandotte shape with medium centers. From this mating we had several pure white chicks, probably 25 per cent, but the Silvers came better. Some of the cockerels were fair in shape with grand, laced breasts, thighs and better in saddle and hackle, with three rows of perfectly laced wing bars, but the cock- . erels were still too high-up on legs and too long in neck. The pullets were better in shape. English‘ Cross Cockerels were of Remarkable Quality We then introduced the English blood from a cock that the late F. L. Mattison, of South Shaftbury, Vt.. purchased from Rev. Comberholme (we believe that is the correct name) paying him $160 for the bird. This bird was of a wider feather strain, a larger, coarsel bird. Head and eyes looked as if more Brahma blood had been used’ in making up the strain. This bird was mated to females of the medium centers again and the progeny ‘was greatly ‘benefited in shape, but some pul- lets being nearly perfect’ on back, lower breast and thighs, while the upper breast still lacked the proper lacing. Most of the females were too long on back. This we find the English blood carries with it. The cockerels from this mating were grand: Three were shown at Johnstown in competition with the best, and won first. second and third. One writer in the American Fancier stated that after he had been abroad ani visited the THE WYANDOTTES large shows in England that there was nothing shown in the Silvers that beat the pair of chicks shown that year at Johnstown and one cockerel and pullet of this mating were shown in Madison Square Garden that winter, win- ning first cockerel, first pullet. ‘This blending of the English blood seemed to benefit the backs of the fe- males from year to year, but when the females proved to be the very open laced kind, in almost every case the upper breast was not laced, just a spangle, and the lower feather of the hackle of the best specimens in fe- males still proved too dark. We believe, taking all in all, the blending of the blood has greatly benefited our Silvers. The third year’s mating with “Rev. Comberhoime” strain seemed to fix the laced wing bar on the majority of the males, while some cockerels were laced all the way up the wing, nearly equal to the pullets. This we will refer to later. We still had to fight with shape. The majority of the birds were too long in body, neck and leg. One pullet from this year’s mating was a rare bird in lacing—nearly every feather had a clear center even back to the main tail feather. She was longer in body than Standard requirements, her feathers had the long centers like the Sebright Bantam. She was shown by our partner, Mr. LeDuc, in his winning pen at the St. Louis exhibition. We could plainly see that the birds hatched were not as even a lot as they were before we had used the English blood, but at the same time we had more real good birds. The hackles and saddles were coming nearer standard; the shape somewhat better, but we had probably 20 per cent white sports. Ore thing we could not account for was that from some yards that produced the most white sports the young Silvers aver- aged darker than from the other yards—it would seem natural that they would be lighter, but such was not the case. We found our females were molting better than in former years and some molted out clearer and better as hens than they did as pullets. This was very gratify- ing and although the white sports did not seem to grow much less in number, we were coming nearer our ideal and many an old breeder of Silvers was sure our hens were pullets. Thus we followed up our course, looking well to shape, and we believe the Silvers would not be up to their present state of perfection were it not for the blending of the blood. There are some points that most English blood seems to carry with it, or at least it seems more noticeable when English blood has been freely used; viz., the comb and eyes, which we will notice under that heading. Double, or Gockerel and Pallet Mating; We do not believe in double mating. No standard should be so framed that one should be compelled to resort to such “seesaw” work, as_ it certainly will not prove conducive to the _ best good in the end. We should always’ endeavor to keep as near to nature’s method as possible ‘and where do we find such a mix up in nature? Again, we have had it so often brought to our notice, when noted breeders have sold to a novice, that these double mated birds and their progeny were far from satisfactory, whereas had they been bred as they should or by what one would term, single mating, the result would have been much more satisfactory. We believe when double mating is practiced and there is one really good specimen produced, there are over ten that are not fair, and were this all, it might a 7 ot id ace FEATHERS OF FIRST BOSTON HEN, 1909. The feathers Wlustrated above are taken from the following sections. Top row: center of back of cushion; middle row, from left to right: lower breast, center breast, tail covert; lower row, beginning at the left: top of wing, first step or lower wing-bar, neck, ‘The-lacing is lustrous greenish black, free from frosting or edging. The white centers are clear, except 'n the tail covert, which shows a little mossing at the base. The feathers were fur- nished by J. C. Jodrey, who bred and exhibited this finely laced hen.—EDI!ToR. be counted a success, but when this good specimen is re- mated one is not sure of what that: fowl will produce. Open Lacing As we have already stated, so many took to the dark birds back in the eighties, that a majority of the Silvers were dark and those that wanted to improve their strain by making them lighter in color or what we term “open 4 90 THE WYANDOTTES laced” did it by using the English blood. We believe this in some cases has been as much overdone as the breeding of too dark specimens; the majority of females that are very open, laced on back and cushion fail in the upper breast lacing. While some of such females with fine, clear open cushions may be finely laced on the thigh and back, they will often break on the shoulder and the upper breast feathers will nearly be tipped with black and that not really a black; in fact, most of the lacing does not have that metallic black that the feathers should have to bring out the beauty of the contrasting color, and the hackle lacks that striped center. Right here let me say our artists are too apt to make their illustrations of the Silver Wyandotte hackle too near like the Light Brahma. The Wyandotte has a more slim hackle feather than the Brahma which makes it appear longer and the stripe or black center narrower. The time we think is not far dis- tant when the black stripe in the best specimen’s hackles will be packed up by a white center, as the saddle feathers are in the male. What we as breeders and exhibitors should all agree on and have the standard framed to is a happy medium, the lacing of the back and breast of corresponding size. This will give us a denser black with less frosting—the lacing more equal] on the upper ° and lower breast and a bird that will molt as clean as a hen. We do not mean to be misunderstood that open laced females will not molt clear, but they are not as apt to as the medium. The size of the centers we here show as we con- sider they should be. phia, 190! Breast and Cushion Feathers Some may desire the very open laced with merely a narrow lacing, making the bird to appear very light in color, and on the other hand some will continue the cry “you are breeding too light.” With such conditions pre- vailing we cannot tell just where we are. At the largest shows the past season there were shown some very open laced birds and some with merely a small white center and these different types of specimens getting first place under the same judging. It is usually supposed that a judge favors a dark bird or a light one, but when a judge does not follow one type of feathering throughout it is a puzzle to the observer “why it is thus”—other conditions being equal. What we call a happy medium some might call open laced, while others call them dark, so we send the feathers which speak for themselves. We believe the American Silver should be a happy medium and carry the same sized lacing on the back and breast, and the back and the breast not gray, brown or dark slate. Let us do away with this slate or powdered gray on the thigh and hock. Let us get all the lacing there that is possible, but let it be black and white as this gray in these sec- tions to the writer is very undesirable and such birds carry more or less frosting. If the bird has no lacing on thigh and hock, we would much rather see these sections ing Standard size. —EDITOR. SILVER WYANDOTTE COCKEREL This isan exceilent reproduction from an untouched photograph of the second prize cockerel at Philadel- Correct Wyandotte type is readily seen in this fine young male, the neck, back and tail sec- tions being particularly good, The wing-bar in the first and second run or row shows remarkably good laced feathers, the kind Silver Wyandotte breeders are striving to obtain in the wing-bars of males. The faults of the bar are that the third and fourth runs or rows are visable and extend into the wing-bow. This bird was very silvery in top color of hackle, back and saddle, sound in black of tail, strong, but white centers smaller than the prevail- This cockerel was bred by the veteran Silver Wyandotte fancier Dr. A. T. Beckett. black than to see the powdered gray as the Standard permits. Cockerels with Pullet Laced Wings We have seen cockerels that were laced up the wing nearly equal to the best laced pullets and when they molted to cocks, molted to a clean nice top color with two fine laced wing bars and with better hock and thigh lacing than when a cockerel. These males usually pro- duce better females than males, i.e., females that show clean black and white with little or no spangled or blotchy feathers on top of wing. Undercolor We think the Standard is at fault in regard to the under-color of the male. A slate under color is natural to the female, but when it comes to the males, it seems quite a different proposition. Some of the clearest black and white males we ever handled with that metallic black lacing, clear cen- ters, no frosting, fine top color and to look at seemed nearly per- fect, would have light under-color and near the skin it would be nearly white. Were we called to pass judgment on sucb specimens our cuts would be slight indeed for their lack of the slate under- color, provided they had shape and other Standard requirements. We believe our English cousins are in the right in regard to this mat- ter and we would like to ask any breeder who has made the breed a study, as the writer has for twen- ty-one years, why so much stress is placed on under-color. Comb As a rule not much improve- ment has been made in the combs of the Silvers the past ten years, in fact we think we saw more poor combs, especially in the males, than we did ten years ago, and with many when the English blood has been used to a great extent we imagine the large beefy combs predom- inate. This we must overcome as it is not Wyandotte. Those broad, overgrown combs some may tell us are a sign of prolificacy. We question the matter very much, as one of the best layers we ever owned was a hen with scarcely any comb or wattles; besides, we never knew eggs from a large comb male’s yard to show greater per per cent of fertility than eggs from females mated with a small comb male. Breast lacing Eyes Here, too, we find we are not making the progress we should. lt is too true we see more pearl or gray eyes than in former years. The eyes are the windows. Keep them bright red. Neck and Hackle ; We have referred slightly to the hackle before, but wish to speak more particularly as to its shape. The Wyandotte has a neck peculiar to itself and were we to offer one suggestion in regard to the illustration in ou! THE WYANDOTTES 91 last Standard, it would be in regard to the shape of the neck which should have a short curve just below the head, or more of an arch. Keep the neck short, well arched and the hackle abundant, as the neck and head are the crowning points. Here again is where the “happy medium” comes in. One will find it very difficult to retain a fine striped hackle and saddle with the too open laced birds instead of having a striped center. We find it gray which shows more plainly in the lower part ef the hackle and the male’s saddle will have a faded ap- pearance. Breast The breast has been improved as much as any other part during the past few years, and especially that of the males. It has not been many years that we had males that carried such fine lacing over the thigh and hock and they are rather beating our females in this respect, although we noticé some of the best females are making good progress. Let the good work continue and have the very air around them laced if you can. Top Color Avoid the yellow or brassy top color in a male—get it silver also. Avoid the smoky or smutty color in saddle. One old breeder a few years ago made the state- ment to the effect that gray cushion pullets would breed fine cockerels. We prefer the cockerels that are raised from pullets with clean centers in cushion and pullets that are raised from males with clean striped saddles. Tail ; There are too many Silvers with narrow, pinched tails and this narrow tail usually means a narrow saddle or cushion. We are glad to note that many males and females of today are carrying fine lacing in the small feathers under the main tail feathers so that every sec: tion that is laceable is being established. Females Molting Out of the Ordinary We had some hens molt in the latter part of the summer that molted over back and cushion so they were nearly like the Partridge Wyandotte females, penciled nearly equal to the best and these same hens molted again in the fall coming in clearer and better than they were as pullets. They simply were grand. We have seen others that were fine as pullets molt gray as yearling hens and molt clear again the third year. The Serious Difficulty Some very light birds will have poor flights that will be nearly white and mixed with gray. In selecting their mates of the darker, get them with solid flights and note the improvement. The saddle of these very open-laced . ‘why we state the open lacéd has been overdone. males will lack the metallic black stripe—it will in mest cases be very light or a faded gray. This is one point We re- ferred in our last article to an old breeder who said he could breed good cockerels from pullets with mossy cushions, We considered a smutty saddle in a male just as objectionable as a mossy cushion in a female, and this is one of, if not the most difficult section we have te contend with today in the Silvers—to get good saddles on the males and clear cushions and tail-coverts in the fe- males. It cannot be improved by using females with gray cushions or males with smutty saddles. Progress Being Made This has been overcome a great deal throughout the. country in the last ten years, which adds greatly to the appearance. We would sooner breed from a male with merely a small white center in breast feather not much larger than the shaft of the feather than from an open laced bird that was badly frosted. The centers can be enlarged sooner than the frosting bred out. We are a erank on black and white for the Silvers as the two cen- trasting colors bring out the beauty. The lacing, as we have stated before, seems to be creeping in, in each sec- tion. We recently examined. a female where the main tail feathers were laced on one side like the secondaries in the best males. Will our Standard ever admit it? We are also gaining in the hock and thigh lacing of the females, and the time is not far distant when they will be as evenly laced as the Silver Sebright Bantams. In going over each section it was not our intention to describe each as they are given in the Standard as it it supposed that each breeder has or should have a Stand- ard of Perfection, but let the novice as he is mating his yards for breeding go over the different sections care- fully and wherein they find a defect try and select the opposite sex that is strong where the other is weak, thus to overcome the weak points, and for such pains. taking you will have the pleasure of seeing your flock improve from year to year. Do not be afraid to cull closely. Remember one good bird is worth more than ten fair ones. Should Molt Clean If you are so situated, we would advise you to breed from yearling stock that have molted out clear, or from their progeny, as we want those that molt clean and thus weed out the gray-backed females. We are glad to add that many females at the present time are molting out better as hens than they were as pullets. This is as it should be. It is the careful, painstaking breeder that is making our best birds what*they are today.. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever,” and where do we find it more than in the Silvers? Echo answers where. How to Mate Silver Wyandottes A Plea for Standard Males with a Lighter Undercolor and Laced Wing Bars J. GC. Jodrey HE Silver Wyandottes are the original Wy- andotte and although numerous varieties have been given the name to boost them into popularity it is not necessary to at- tach “laced” to the name to distinguish them. All other varieties have a pre or affix to distinguish them from the Silvers. What greater proof is there of the superiority of anything than to see it counterfeited as -soon as it appears on the market? This has been the case with the Silvers so that to- day we have more varieties of Wyandottes than there are in any other breed and all because the Silver Wyan- dotte is one of the very best utility fowls as well as the most beautiful. . It is seldom that beauty and utility go hand in hand. It matters not where they are seen, whether it is on the lawn, farm or in the exhibition room, they are the admiration of the lovers of the beautiful and I claim that any man or woman whe can produce a Silver Wyan- dotte of Standard requirements is as much an artist as were the famous masters who with brush, palette and canvas, create those works. of art, that are the admira- tion of every age and whose names will be enrolled on pages of history and fame till time shall be no more. The Silvers. have made a marked advance the past few years, and it is now possible to see at our best shows, specimens that are well up to the Standard re- quirements and in sonre respects in advance of what the Standard should be. The laced wing bars are a fixture. PULLET BREEDING MALE The above feathers were taken from the following sections: On the left. neck hackle; center, first step or row of wing-bar; right, back or saddle. Mr, Jodrey, who furnished these feathers, writes: “They are from a male we use for breeding pullets, Wecan produce as good wing lacing on males as on females,”—EDITOR, We are now breeding males with full laced open centers for wing bars while the Standard calls for upper edge black, lower edge white. The more freedom we have in this respect the larger the centers that can be produced on wing bow and back of females. , Dark slate under-color in males is the worst feature FEATHERS OF FIRST BOSTON PULLHT, 1909 , Beginning at left, the feathers in top row are taken from the fol- lowing sections: Neck, shoulder, side oF breast; in lower row, from left toright: Top of cushion, second bar, body. This pullet, Mr. Jod- rey considered the best he had ever bred., The feathers are very uear, ideal in color and lacing, the cushion or back feather illustrated above, being Standard in shape, white center and lacing.— EpITor. we have to contend with. With it we cannot expect to ‘breed high class females, without it we can suffer in the show room. It is fast driving breeders to double mat- ing; for 27 years experience shows me that it is not pos sible to breed clean backed females with oval centers, from males with dark slate under-color, and more than that, if continued for any length of time the Silvers would revert to the crows of the nineties. Give us a free hand on under-color and in a few years males can be produced with surface color better than anything seen today; and high class females also trom the same mating. A sound surface color in males and dark slate in fe males is all we need to retain color in both sexes. Some grand specimens are seen at the leading shows. The first hen at Madison Square and Boston this THE WYANDOTTES 93 past season very nearly approached the ideal and was in some respects in advance of the Standard. She was per- fect in type, uniformly laced throughout, the lacing of lustrous black around oval centers of clean white. The head points were perfect, a beautiful arched neck with a Standard hackle. The centers on back were large and oval, growing larger as the saddle rose to the well spread black tail; the secondary tail coverts were large and clean, birds.” I made no reply but thought then as I do now, better keep the poor shaped birds at home even if well laced. I would sooner risk losing on a Silver of good type than win on one well laced but of poor type. We will never succeed until we have in our minds a fixed ideal. Some of our judges lose their heads over beautiful lacing and upset our calculations; but even so, that is no reason why we should forget our ideal. the tail coverts black, with almost a perfect center. The Standard calls for black. (Pay your money and take your choice.) The breast was a revelation from the throat down, every feather strongly laced. The wing bars were all that could be de- sired. Theo. Hewes once said of a pair of Silvers he saw at Bos- ton; that “they werffworth a day’s journey just to see.” What would he have said of this hen? In my av years experience breeding Silvers she was the only one that filled my eye and I think I shall never see her like again. The greatest defect in the Silvers to- day is lack of correct type. In the race for lacing, type has been left to shift for itself. In our large shows the close observer Poor type, long gamey necks. and heads and straight backs, dark almost black hackles in fe- males are all an abomination. For breeding high class females select females as near the Standard requirements as possible, darker rather than lighter. For a male, select the best type you have. Do not mate two birds of the same type unless both are good; the surface color should be A-1 with lacing more open and extensive than the females. See that the under-color is nut dark slate nor white, still white is to be pre- ferred to dark slate. Now don’t look for diamond centers in sad- dle and lesser coverts and don’t look for the proverbial” black stripe in hackle. The female will take care of the hackles. From Var 5 ea Zz. Cs cd ico van) ¥ 4 will notice a vast difference be- tween the type of the Silvers and Whites. I admit that it is a much harder proposition to breed Sil- vers than Whites. The breeder of White Wyandottes has but type and color to work for while the Silver breeder has a hundred and one things to fight for or against. Silvers of poor type are doubtless often used to gain a point in lacing, but such birds should be kept out of the exhibitions until such time as the defects are overcome. Poultry Farm, lustrous black in color. Shape is the first essential, it makes the breed and color the variety. Shape should be our watchword. A long backed, long tailed, slab sided, rangy fowl, how- ever well laced it may be, is not a Wyandotte, much less a Silver. The lamented F. L. Mattison once made me a visit, efter one of our big shows, and after seeing my birds, almost the first remark was “you did not show your best _ The above illustration is a half-tone reproduc- tion of an untouched photograph of a Silver Wyan- dotte hen, owned by F H,. Davey. of Greystone It was taken in July, 1909, this bird being rather rough in feather at the time, but in type and carriage she is a true Wyandotte. In color she is remarkably fine in breast. back and wing- bows, the white centers of the feathers being large and oval, the black lacing narrow, very even, and A noticeable feature is that the oval centers of the breast, wing and back feathers are of same size in each section.—EDITOoR. such a mating high class exhibi- tion females may be expected. For breeding exhibition males select a male as near Standard as’ possible. You want a_ strong hackle, dark under-color and dia- mond centers in saddle; with me- dium width comb (narrow combs are productive of single combs). Good bay eye is desired. Tail should be low, well spread and black. Mate to females with good head points, a strong hackle, well laced breast, strong wing and tail and of good type. The writer has followed these lines for 10 years with good results and sees no reason to change, at least not so long as the Standard requires dark slate under-color in males. If dark slate under-color in males was stricken from the Standard and breeders given a free hand to choose for themselves the shade they prefer, it would be a great benefit to the breeders of “THE BEAUTY BREED.” Silver Wyandottes in the West A Market Fowl of Exceptional Quality— Good Layers and Mothers— Thrive Well in Confinement or on Range— Breeders who Strongly Advocate Single Mating and Produce Show Winners te Prove It Can be Done— Dark Undercolor a Necessity in Breeding Exhibition Specimens E. S. Tarbox E HAVE been breeding the Silver Laced Wy- andottes for twenty-two years and the longer we breed them the more we like them. No one will wonder at this if he will consider, the beauty of this variety of poultry. No one can fail to admire a flock of well-bred Silvers with the feathers show- ing clear white centers and snappy black edges. The Wyandotte is a bird of curves, its blocky shape showing no sharp angles. They are to our minds one of the most beautiful of the feathered family and certainly no va- riety furnishes the fancier a better field in which to work than do the Silvers. : The breeding of Silver Wyandottes gives one a chance for study, and plenty of it. It must be admitted that it is a little hard to make matings that will pro- duce the highest quality specimens, but that is the rea son that they are a fancier’s variety. If one be a true fancier, the harder it is to get the birds right the more pleasure there is in working to accomplish it. Surely there is nothing that gives more satisfaction than each year to see a larger per cent of the pullets having feath- ers that show the clear white centers and lustrous black edges, and cockerels having good silvery hackles and saddles with a clear white diamond in the center of the black and good laced wing-bar and breast. It is espe- ‘eially fascinating to watch an exceptionally promising pullet or cockerel as it develops with every indication that it will be the best you have ever produced. The pleasure is well worth all the time and work that is in- volved in breeding them. They are truly a fancier’s bird, but if that were all that could be said of them to recom- mend them to the public they would not now be among the most popular varieties as they are today. Utility Birds as Well There is always some new variety or breed being pushed for public approval with the claim that it is the best ‘general purpose fowl and the best winter layer, but we doubt if there is a variety today that can beat the Silver Laced Wyandottes as a utility fowl. This has been our experience and the experience of many others who have given them a fair trial. They proved their superiority as layers in a great laying contest held in Australia under government super- vision and control, laying more eggs in twelve months than any other variety. In the matter of table quality they are right at the top. Their short bodies are well rounded out, being covered with an abundance of rich, juicy meat. This abundance of meat in proportion to bone and their rich yellow skin and legs make them a favorite with the market people. They are large enough to make them profitable on the market, but they are not over large and so make an ideal market bird as the greatest demand is for medium sized birds. They make the best of mothers, their quiet disposi- tion making them easy to handle when on the nest. After they hatch the chicks and are with the brood, they are not easily excited and are very careful about stepping on their chicks. _possible. They are the variety for the farmer, for they wil roam over the farm and pick up a great deal of their food. On the other hand they are a good bird for the village or town lot, as they stand confinement well, being able to remain healthy and give good returns to their owner when restricted to close quarters. A Few Words About Mating Do not mate extremes—that is, do not mate ex- tremely light females with extremely dark males, or vice versa. Have both male and females as near standard as Of course there are times when we have to mate females that are weak in one section with a male that is strong in that section in order to overcome the defect. Then we must watch the results in order to tell what we shall have to do the next year to strengthen the birds still more in the weak section or sections. Do not by any means sell all your breeders as soon as the egg season is over and depend upon the young ‘stock entirely for your breeders for the next year. Many times when one has the young stock and the old breed- ing stock before him to study. he can re-mate the old stock in such’manner that the young birds will show greater improvement the next year than they could pos- sibly do were he to mate only the young, untried stock. About Single Mating Let us mate so that we shall get both cockerels and pullets of extra quality from the one mating, even if we do not get that occasional very fine bird (to the detri- ment of the rest of the flock) that we might get were we to practice double mating. We have never used the double mating system and have always said that when we felt forced to resort to it we should quit the business. That we have been able to get good results from single matings our record in the show room will prove. Our winning males and fe- males at Chicago last year were from the same line. For example, the second prize cock was a son of the first prize hen; the second prize cockerel and the second prize pullet were son and daughter of the second prize cock and grandson and granddaughter of the first hen; the second and fourth hens were daughters of the first hen at Chicago, 1907, the fifth prize cockerel being a grand- son of the same hen. Bear this point in mind in mating. If you wish to get and keep that lustrous black edge on the feathers you must pay attention to the under-color. The black edge cannot be kept if you breed birds with white under color. The under-color must be kept dark. A number of years ago we had a cockerel that we did not intend to use but happening to discover that his under-color was almost black though he was not so good in other points as the cockerel we expected to use, we changed and mated him to some choice females. I¢ was truly wonderful the amount of good that bird did in establishing the strong black edge, which is the admira- tion of every true Silver fancier, as the lustrous black edge of the feathers is essential to the ‘beauty of our favorites, Advocates Single Mating of Wyandottes A Successful Exhibitor’s Method of Breeding Prize Winners Julius Bachman HE breeders of Silver Wyandottes have made wonderful progress during the last few years. We see now generally the beautiful open lacing, but in the effort to produce the extremely large centers on pullets, as it is now the fad, great sacrifices often are inade. I will only mention shape and vnder-color, which by the introduction of the’ English blood have suffered much. Special color matings have become necessary, which gradually led to the method of double matings, the breeder establishing a separate strain to breed his show pullets and another separate strain from which to breed his cockerels. I am afraid that this is overdoing the thing, and if not checked must finally bring disaster. The single mating for mine. It is natural. The un- suspecting customer is not disappointed in securing a breeding bird raised from such mating. And as to the kind of birds raised by single mat- ings? Well, they have the true Wyandotte shape, good under-color, correct lacing, clear white centers, and that beautiful glossy black. That is in both, shape as well as in color, they are close up to the Standard, which may duly be considered as proven by the fact that my first pullet was awarded the champion cup at the 1909 Kan- sas City show, where one of the grandest lot of Silvers was exhibited, the first time this honor was won in a national show by a Silver Wyandotte female. Between my cockerels and pullets the honors are about even. I raise usually the same proportion of high class birds of either sex. TYPICAL WYANDOTTES IN SHAPE ‘ A fine pair of the American type of the Silver Wyandotte, showing characteristic shape and well Standard type.—EDITOR. efined lacing, the latter being somewhat heavier and broader than the new Mating for Best Results Overweight Birds Not Desirable — Shape and then Color to.be Considered — Points Wanted in Breeders —It is Essential to Retain the Identity of the Young Stock Henry Steinmesch F ONE goes into the poultry business he must ex- pect mistakes and disappointments and they must be overcome. None of us is infallible. We are more apt to learn by our early reverses than we. are by our _ successes. I have been fairly successful with Silver Wyandottes, having had them for eighteen years. I have made mistakes and do not-pretend to know it all now, but I do know that, if I were to start over again, I should start nearer right than I did eighteen years ago. I should start with one breed, amd that breed would be the Silver Wyan- dotte. I should try to get the best with which to make a start. If my means were limited I should be satisfied with a pair, but I would rather have a trio. If I had plenty of money I should buy a pen of one male and five or six females. I should consider the shape or symmetry of the birds of the most importance, and color of neck, breast or back would be a secondary consideration. In Silver Wyandottes I consider the male bird more than half of the flock, and for that reason I should be careful to have him as good as possible. I want a cock- erel to weigh seven and one-half pounds or a cock eight and one-half pounds, and I prefer a haif pound less rather than that much more. As a rule, heavier than standard birds are less shapely. He should be of a square, blocky build, with legs well set apart; a broad breast, full and round; a broad back, short and: flat at the shoulders, and a medium sized tail well spread. The comb should be medium, curving to the shape of the neck, coming to a spike point, and all well serrated. Next I look for color. I want a breast well laced, and the centers must be white and clear, and must ex- tend from under the beak down to between the thighs. Right here, however, we are liable to have trouble unless we see to it that the lacing is free from frosty edging, which is a grayish tinge on the outside of the black lacing. This frosty edging. is a serious fault, and the last standard very wisely instructs a cut of not less than ¥, point in each section where it appears. If the breast is free from this blemish in the male bird it is not likely to show up in any other section. The wing of a Silver Wyandotte is one of its strongest points. A really good wing is hard to find. The white in the flights and secondaries is usually good, but the black is too often mottled. I want the wing bows silvery white and the upper web of the coverts black, the lower web white with a narrow stripe along the edge which widens as it approaches the tip, forming a double bar of laced feathers across the wing. I have given a great deal of space to the male bird, as I consider him the foundation of any strain, and I believe that the most of our improvement in the Silver Wyandotte must come through that source. On the female side I want full standard weight, five and one-half pounds for pullets and six and one-half pounds for hens. They must be broad and full in the breast with a broad back that is very slightly cushioned. The breast must be well laced with good sized, open centers. As a rule there is very little trouble in getting pullets very good in this respect, but unless well bred, this lacing, after the first molt, will become faint and will fail to go all around tHe feather. This trouble in- variably crops out where the under-color is gray or white. _ I should be careful to use only females that were good in dark slate under-color and should also pre- fer to have the fluff slate color, although not necessar- ily as dark as in the breast. I want the back of a pullet to show centers as white as those in the breast and the lacing must be as clear. With this, however, I must have dark under-color, and I should rather use a female with smaller centers and good under-color than one with large open centers and light’ under-color. In this view 1 am going against some of the theorists, but I know that light under-colored females will not wear and the big open centers, unless backed up by dark slate color, are only for today. . I want the ear-lobes red and the eyes bright bay. The standard allows some white in ear-lobes and also permits eyes other than bright bay, yet-by a little care we can breed these sections as they should be. While it is 2 pleasure to note the good points of our birds, yet we should not overlook the poor ones, and it’ is a good general rule to avoid, mating birds where both the male and female are weak in the same sections. Two poor combs are not: going to produce one good comb, Two pairs of pearl or blue eyes will not produce one pair of good, bright, bay eyes. On the contrary, such matings will bring forth worse combs and poorer eyes. If, how- ever, one or the other is good in comb and eye, then we may look for an improvement, especially if the bird pos- sessing these good points is the stronger and more vig- orous of the two. With the advantage that the Silver Wyandotte has, of beauty and general usefulness combined, it is bound to become more popular from year to year. It is today the foremost all-purpose fowl in England, and there is no reason why it should not be in this country. In fact . during the past season, (1908-09) the showing of Silver Laced Wyandottes was larger in number and better in quality than has ever been shown in America before. They are as easy to breed as any other fowl, notwith- 9” While discussion is deep’ amiaeh i. standing parti-color. earnest as to the proper shade of buff or the color of Barred Rocks, the pencilings of this breed or that, the Silver Wyandotte fanciers are working in harmony, knowing that where they want white, they want white. and where they want black, they do not want any other color. Try to retain the identity of the young stock. If you are sc situated that you cannot do this with all your, birds do it with part of them. If you succeed in raising some extra good birds it is worth the trouble to know the parent stock. Know what kind of matings will produce the good ones and on the other hand do away with the matings that produced the poor ones. In this way we can soon establish a strain of birds that will breed true to name and which will be uniform. This after all is decidedly preferable to producing extremes—part very good, part very poor—the latter as a rule predominating. Surface vs. Under-Color in Silver Wyandottes Some Criticisms on what the Standard Requires in Under-Color for this Popular American Fowl — Believes in Double-Mating System P. H. Gossard HIS popular American fowl has had its share of ups and downs, due, I think, to the fact that it has been injured by those who ought to know better. At the present time Silver Wyandottes are rapidly coming to the front, and if permitted to grow as nature intended they should, they will soon rival the Plymouth Rocks. Those who have the interest of this, breed at heart and are trying to push them up where they belong, are con- fronted with a standard that, in my opinion, is wrong— decidedly wrong. In the first place I am in favor of cut- ting for surface color only. This is what we see in a fowl and what we admire. When one delights in a specimen, either in the breeding yards or the show room, FIRST PRIZE CHR’: NEWYORK 1908-9 ‘BRED &OWNEDBY = _OAK LAWN FARMS it is the surface color that catches the eye. Why, in order to properly appreciate a bird, is it necessary to run it down and hunt for beauty under the surface? Still, this is just what our Standard requires. A Silver Wyandotte male of Standard breed must have slate under- color, when there is scarcely one first-class breeder in the United States but what knows that to produce nice, open centered pullets we must use males with a light under-color. We are importing birds from England every year to improve the lacing. Are we to conclude FIRST PRIZE PULLET NEW YORK 1€08-9 BRED & OWNED BY OAK LAWN FARMS : \ THE SEBRIGHT TYPE OF SILVER WYANDOTTES : i ted above were reproduced from photographs of the first prize cockerel and first prize pullet at New York, 1908-09" and retouched by'A. 0. aeihag, eho Has presented an excellent idea of the Sebright type of black lacing on the breast, body, and wing- bar of the male and on t e breast, back, tail coverts and part of the body of the female. The white centers are very large but not as oval as the 7 . i i i dotte blood, which is noticeable Stand d ing toa point. Both cockerel and pullet contain considerable English Wyan é in Pee ee Tee teen tyeas 1 Baek. but the male is distinctively of the American Standard type.—EDIToR. 98 THE WYANDOTTES from this that the English are better breeders than we? When all the circumstances are taken into consideration I think not. Just as fine specimens can be produced on this side of the water if the Standard would only per- mit. The English standard is very similar to ours and ‘requires slate under-color in males, but when on. exhi- FEATHERS OF FIRST PRIZE COCK, NEW YORK, 1909-10 _ , The first prize Silver Wyandotte cock at New York, 1909-’10, was a model in shape. He was also remarkably strong in color of hackle and saddle, as will be seen in the hackle feathers on the right and the saddle feathers on the left. The two lower feathers are from the breast. They are very strongly laced, but the white centers are too small and not ovalin shape.—EDIToR. bition I am told the judges are not permitted to handle the birds, but to pass on them from surface indications only. The English breeder was quick to learn that fine surface color could be had only by breeding from stock with light under-color, and so long as judges could not handle specimens and ascertain the under-color they used light under-color and put all their energy into pro- ducing standard surface color. They have succeeded, but their success would be short-lived should they en- counter obstacles such as we Americans have to contend with, either in our standard or mode of judging. I was quoted in the old Reliable Wyandotte book as favoring single mating. This was a mistake—on the contrary, I feel sure no breeder will succeed in producing a fair per cent of good males and females from the same mating, The judge may shut his eyes to under-color, but if he cuts for this standard defect, no pullet breeding male will win in strong competition. In conversation with a prominent judge on this subject, he agreed with me, but thought that to eliminate the cut for under-color would cause disaster to the amateur. I do not think his point well taken. The beginner might, and perhaps would, breed some of his- birds too light, and for that matter . the veteran could easily make the same mistake, but this, to my mind would be preferable to breeding cock- erel and pullet strains separately. I am in love with Silver Laced Wyandottes. They are my hobby, and I am anxious to do anything within my power to help them along, but I am fully convinced, that so long as the Standard remains as at present we shall have to build up a cockerel strain and keep them separate from our pullet matings. I notice the American Poultry Association, some years ago, at the Cedar Repids meeting, reduced the cut for frosting. I do not think this a wise move. Nothing FIRST PRIZE GOGK GLE! 1D SHOW BRED AND OWNED Yee ey IRA 0. KELLER A Silver Wyandotte with good silvery neck and back, open laced breast and well laced wing-bar. Shows tes much Dark Brahma stelp ing in hackle and saddle for a Silver Wyandotte. Being a cock, li lacks in fullness, and depth hin ee ee pth of body, and shows too much lengt mars the beauty of a Wyandotte more than frosting. The surface color should be as nearly perfect as we can get it. Then if frosty edges are permitted in any de- gree while we are breeding open laced birds, we will find very few females that will not run spangles on the breast. ’ Breeding Silver Wyandottes A Successful Breeder Writes Interestingly on the Single and Double Mating of Silver Wyandottes A. CG. Le Duo ROBABLY the most important point con- nected with the breeding of Silver Wyan- dottes is the mating. I have given this subject the closest study and attention, and believe that some breeders are mak- ing ridiculous mistakes in mating their yards and thereby are ruining this noble breed as fast as they can. This may seem rather strong language, but follow me and I will explain why I say it. In the first place I am an advo- cate of the single or standard-mating. This is the only right way to breed Wyandottes or any other breed for that matter. The double mating plan will only breed disappointment; not so much in your own yards as in the yards of your customers. It will be understood that by the term “double mating” is meant a mating for cockerels from which one does not expect to get good pullets, and another mating for pullets from which one does not expect good cockerels. By the term “single mating” is meant the mating of a yard of birds of stand- ard color, shape and size from which the breeder expects to get both cockerels and pullets of good quality. The single or standard mating is the breeding in one line of one line of blood; the double mating is the breeding in two lines of two separate lines of blood, one for breeding males and the other for breeding females. These lines are not crossed because when you cross the male line with the female line you will get neither good cockerels nor good pullets, as the opposing influences of the two lines of blood are too great, and are just the opposite of each other. Consequently you get culls, with possibly a “chance good bird, which in turn cannot be depended upon as a breeder. I do not claim that we cannot produce just as good birds by the double mating plan as by the single mating; I believe we can, but we must look beyond that and consider the future. : Allow me to state a little experience I had a few years ago, and remember this is not theory, but fact. I bought a Silver Wyandotte cockerel of a double mating breeder. He was the best aJl-round cockerel of his breed that I had seen, a very strong bird in nearly every sec- tion. I also bought several of the best pullets that breeder had. I mated the cockerel to the two best pul- lets, and put six of my best females in the same yard. The young chicks were a sad disappointment. Every pullet was as mossy on the back as a Dark Brahma, and the cockerels were no better, with the exception of two that were fairly good birds. I wrote the breeder from whom I bought the cockerel, stating that I did not get a single good pullet from the cockerel. In reply I received the following: “I never could breed a gocd cockerel from clear backed females. Probably your mossy pullets will be the best of cockerel breeders.” Now here we have the whole thing in a nutshell. That cockerel was un- doubtedly bred from a mossy female on the double mat- ing order, and his chicks could be expected to be no bet- ter than they were. Another breeder writes: “You can’t produce good clear pullets from a dark under-colored male bird.” Another says he uses a smutty backed cogk- erel to produce good pullets. Needless to say there are others that use still more ridiculous matings. The only right way to mate Silver Wyandottes is to get both male and female as near standard requirements in all sections as it is possible to get them; then mate them that way and breed in line and they will reproduce themselves. You will get a few birds each yeat even a little better than their parents and this will enable you to get nearer each year to the one hundred point mark. Why do so many take up the breeding of Silver Wy- andottes, breed them for several years, make no success and finally give them up as a bad job? Let me relate to you a case that came to my notice. It will explain why. A young man wished to breed Silver Wyandottes, He was determined to have the best and was willing to pay for them. He sent for a trio of fine birds, paid a big price for them and they were indeed fine specimens. He bred them and got a lot of culls—none were as good as their parents. He could not account for it and was sadly disappointed. Investigation showed that they were from a double mating strain, the cockerel from a cock- erel mating and the pullets from a pullet mating; and, as I have stated, those two lines bred together will breed disappointment. This young man bought another cockerel the next season, a very fine specimen, and mated him with the pullets from the first season’s mat- ing. The result was no better, so he gave them up for a bad job. I could tell you of other similar cases, but space does not permit. How often have I received let ters from breeders stating that they have bought a trio or pen of very fine birds from Mr. So and So, but they did not produce any good birds. Then they ask if I know why. How often have we seen old breeders state in the papers that if one mates a ninety-three point cockerel to a ninety-three point pullet, none of the chicks will be as good as their parent. That is especially true of Barred Rock breeders. Why should it be so? I say if these ninety-three point birds are bred right and mated right they will reproduce themselves without fail; but if the eockerel is bred from a standard male to a cull female, as the double mating breeders do, and if this ninety- three point pullet is bred from a standard female mated to a cull male or the two in turn mated together, there will be produced culls without fail. It stands to reason and there is no getting around it. There are a few breeders of Silver Wyandottes who are breeding them right, and these few have the same object in view—the improvement of the breed—and they have made wonderful improvement. They are slowly breeding out mossy backs and frosty breasts and are bringing out the pure, sharply defined black and white Sebright lacing, and they have perfected the laced wing- bars. These breeders are culling closely, keeping the pedigree of every bird, and are breeding in line. ‘They have saved the breed, and to them is due the credit of the wonderful improvement that has been made during the past few years. My purpose in writing this is to bring breeders nearer together so that we may have a better under- standing of how to improve the breed. There is yet room for improvement, and the Silver Wyandotte possesses enough sterling qualities to demand our most earnest efforts in bringing them forward to the place where they belong. Silver Wyandottes of Today Still Practices Double Mating but is Approaching Nearer the Single Mating System Year by Year —How to Mate for Pallets and Cockerels— Shape of Great Importance — Success Impossible Without Good Pedigreed Birds J. F. VanAlstyne HILE the Silver Wyandottes have shown wonderful improvement in the last few years, some of the females being about all one could ask as to beautiful lacing, still 1 find the males as a rule, lack the beautiful striped saddle of the Dark Brahma. Breeders have lost this in trying to get the centers on the backs of the females. This is big open very nice if such birds do not fail on breast, which as a rule they do. 1 should call that one a good bird that is equally divided in color or lacing in all sections, the feathers being one-half black.and one-half white. Such a bird would not be too dark nor too light, if the lacing ran uniform in all sections. To get the beautiful saddle on the male I do not be- lieve in doing what some say, i.e, breed from moss packed hens. Breed from your best pullets that you know were sired by a cock bird with a fine saddle. To know one’s birds thoroughly, to be familiar with their ancestors, is everything. As a rule my best pullets do not come from such male birds. We do not allow any “mossy” pullets in our yards. The pullets from our male line, while they are not attractively open laced, are not | oo | SILVER KING Yt, | 2*°AT NEW YORK RAT BOSTON ~ 1999. R GWILLIAMS.. » BARRE,MASS. The above is an excellent reproduction of R. G. Williams’ Second-Prize New York and Boston Silver Wyandotte cockerel. One of the sections Mr. Williams is very particular about is the wing-bar, and he has succeeded in getting the double laced bar in most of his males. Mr. Sewell, on the right of the above illustra- tion, gives the proper lacing of the wing-bar and the correct color and edging of the secondaries and primaries. This is the Standard Ideal wing in color.—EpIToR. those dreadful gray, mossy things that spoil the looks of any flock of good Silvers. For our best pullet mating we use, of course, our very best females mated to as fine a laced cock bird as we have, but he must be from a fine hen and his sisters must all be beautifully clear and uniformly laced birds, Such a male as a rule will be rather white on his back, with little striping as compared with the Dark Brahmazy. Our first cock bird at Madison Square, 1905, was a pullet breeder. He won and attracted the judge’s fancy by his wonderful lacing. In our winning pen at the Garden in 1907, one of the pullets was from our cock- erel mating. This goes to show that while we use the double mating we are getting nearer to the single mat- ing system each season, which lessens the percentage of culls. As a rule, however, we get our finest exhibition birds from matings as described above and we are able to make these matings intelligently because we thor- oughly know our birds and the matings from which they came. Chance may bring an occasional good bird, but it would not make a safe breeder. The only safe rule is to keep a careful pedigree of every bird. Importance of Shape Next we must consider shape, which in a Wyandotte is of great importance. Unlike the Buff, Black or White Wyandottes, we have so much to work for in the laced varieties that at times a bird very beautiful in feather has to be considered worthy of a place even if it does fail’ some in shape when compared with the blue ribbon White Wyandotte at the same show. In judging one must consider all things and size up the good with the bad. I have found when I introduce some English blood into my pullet lines that the resulting birds were too close feathered, a thing that no one likes in a Wyan- dotte. Another bad result was a too dark hackle but you will find that birds with dark hackles are very free from any white edging or frosting on the upper breast feathers, and too much of this frosting is also bad, so we have to consider a great many things in breeding Silver Wyandottes. A bird with a beautiful silver hackle is almost sure to have some white edging on the breast feathers. Keep the male birds as free from such breast feathers as possible. So many male birds shown at our largest shows fail in this particular. This can be im- proved in time by using nothing but the best pullets in our yards. Above all, know your birds. Let me close with 4 word to those who are starting: If you wish the best results, whatever your fancy may be, get the birds from one who truly knows what he is giving you and who can tell, as nearly as man can, what you may expect from the birds. CHAPTER VIII Golden Wyandottes History of a Beautiful Variety of the Wyandotte Family — How it was Produced; Described by the Originator — Admitted to the Standard in 1888 . F. W. Proctor N ITS most approved strain, which from its superior qualities was used to feed the blood of all others, the Golden Wyandotte is a lineal descendant of the original Ray- Whittaker strain of Silvers. The founda- tion of this stock was laid in 1880, when Joseph McKeen, of Omro, Wisconsin, crossed Silver Laced females purchased from Mr. L. Whittaker with a cockerel of composite blood, the ac- count of which is best told in. the originator’s own words, quoted from Joseph Wallace’s book upon the Wyandottes published by the Ferris Publish- all but the tail, and that was a shiny green black, with rose-comb and clean, yellow legs. Dorsey Smith, agent for the American Express Company, at Waukau, Wis., bought one of these cockerels of me about ten years ago, and has bred a number like him since. The pul- lets were of a kind of buff color with more or less pen- ciling or lacing. “My farm I called ‘The Winnebago Poultry Farm’ and as these fowls were raised there, I called them ‘Win- nebagoes.’ Now, from what I have written, we deduce these facts: that the Winnebagoes, the top cross to produce Golden Wyan- dottes, have Pea-Comb ing Company (Albany 1891): “A few years prior to the time I began to breed the Golden Wyan- dottes, I was breeding Pea-Comb Partridge Cochins, and _ Single- Comb Brown Leghorns; I also procured some eggs of the Rose-Comhb Brown Leghorn variety from T. J. McDaniel, South Hollis, Me. He did not claim that they were pure-blooded Leghorns, but were crossed with a fowl, about the same color, that had a rose- comb and-red earlobes, called ‘York County’ fowls. I had these Part- ridge Cochins, Brown Leghorns and Rose-Comb Partridge Cochin, Rose and Single Comb Brown Leghorn, Buff Cochin, and I have reason to believe, a very little Golden Sebright Bantam blood in them, no Game blood, as some suppose. I believe that the Golden Wyandottes in the east have Game blood in them.” From the foregoing account, it is apparent that these “Winne- bagoes” bore a strong resemblance to the Rose- Comb Rhode Island Red of today. A second breeding to the Silvers, thus con- stituting the stock of one-fourth Winnebago blood, further enriched Leghorns together, and selected those that had ‘the best rose-combs, cleanest yellow legs and reddest earlobes. I se- lected a large cockerel that had a good rose-comb, clean yellow legs, red earlobes, and plumage about the same as a Partridge Cochin male. I bred this cockerel on some mongrel Buff Cochin hens that came into existence in the following way: Some time about 1872 or 1873, I was breeding some fine Buff Cochins and Golden Sebright Ban- tams. I let a family named O’Neil have some eggs of both these varieties; they raised the chickens and let them run together with some medium-sized *common fowls on a farm. “A few years after this, I found, with the O’Neil family, Buff Cochins with yellow legs, rose-combs, light leg feathering, and a slight show of lacing on some Specimens. I bred the Partridge Cochin-Brown Leghorn cockerel, above mentioned, on some of these Buff hens, and the result was some cockerel of a very deep buff, PLATE 12—Feathers that show what the up-to-date Wyandotte breeder is striving to produce in the male and female hackle and saddle. These feathers are unusually fine samples of what has actually been accomplished. the plumage, the Part- ridge Cochin element of their extraction doubt- less contributing to the perfecting of their The certainty of the Golden Sebright bantam pattern. ‘having had a part in the Winnebago’s derivation is by no means established by Mr. McKeen’s account, and there are grave obstacles to such an assumption. When a bantam cross is once established, its marks are too unmistakable for many years following to leave it a matter of conjecture. We would not antici- pate that such an exceptionally vigorous and thrifty a fowl as Mr. McKeen’s stock is known to have been from the start, should have been in part derived from ban- tams; for it-is apparent that the “Winnebagoes” had power to improve the size and stamina of the Whit- taker stock of Silvers. It would seem more credible that the rose-comb appearing upon these loosely-bred Buff Cochins was derived from the “medium-sized com- mon fowls”—supposing there was a male among them 102 fit to keep a Sebright bantam at bay—than to assume that a bantam cross took place to account for that type of comb; especially as all buff fowls of Asiatic deriva- tion are prepotent to throw penciled or laced feathers when crossed. In view of the well-nigh universal pro- clivity of writers to ascribe a bantam origin to Laced Wyandottes, this position should be questioned, rather than blindly accepted in the face of its improbability and with no better substantiation than bare conjecture. The McKeen strain of Golden Wyandottes soon won the well-merited honor of being a better Wyandotte in color and markings that its parent, the Silver variety, . and no less in body type and sturdy useful qualities. Other strains of contemporaneous origin appeared in various sections of the country, the result of various erosses with the Silvers. An interesting instance of reversion was the strain of W. E. Shedd, of Waltham, Mass., which came from breeding together distinct stocks of Silvers. Whether recently derived from sources containing Golden tendencies or not, this case illustrates the constant tendency of eliminated color to reappear, and also that the dccident of deposition of red pigment in the centers of the feathers, one way or the other, is all that differentiates Silvers from Goldens. The Golden variety, dating back to the year 1880 for its beginning, had so far advanced toward perfec- tion in 1888 that it was admitted in that year tc the Standard without opposition. As compared with the Silvers, they seem from the-start to have rather more than held their own in the esteem of breeders as re- gards both superficial and practical qualities. Whether ‘the Silvers in turn borrowed a new stock of these traits from the Goldens does not appear from any published Say : cs Dy iS FIRST PRIZK GOLDKN WYANDOTTE, NEW YORK, 1909-10 The first prize Golden Wyandotte, at New York, is the old Champion Madison Square Garden winner having captured the blue ribbon three years in succession. He is of the massive blocky type. so popular in the East. He is one of the richest and finest males in color and lacing ever shown at New York. THE WYANDOTTES FIRST PRIZE GOLDEN WY A | BREDAND OWNED BY i {RA CT. KELLER 5 The first prize Golden Wyandotte cock, at Cleveland, 1909, was one of the best ever shown by Mr. Keller, Shapely and stylish in appear- ance, very rich in color. the hackle and saddle feathers being well striped, bar double laced, breast, body and thighs covered with open laced feathers, this bird proved to be the gem of the class. accounts of crossing for such purpose. The Golden variety had a certain advantage as regards facility of plumage perfection which has escaped attention. A pattern of plumage is more feasibly evolved when the black and red pigments are working conjointly. Ac cording to the accredited accounts of their origin, it was in this order that the Sebright bantams were pro- duced, the Silver following the Golden variety, and de- rived from it. Similarly, the Dark Brahma plumage is a reversion- al form of the Partridge Cochin coloration, and de- pended in a large measure upon the latter for its de- velopment, the old-time crosses of which gave rise to the Pea-Comb Cochin, which formerly held a temporary standing as a Standard variety. It is a law universal in its application to all breeds, that within the limits of identical plumage pattern the anti-typal black-red coloration is adopted to construct and occasionally re inforce the other color types. The Golden Laced Wyat- dotte, then, is the logical forerunner not only of the Silver Laced but the Buff Laced and Violettes; is the lineal progenitor of the two latter, and were it not that the natural order of development was reversed, would have preceded and contributed to the development of the Silver Laced as well. The future development of the Goldens accordingly should be closely related to em of the Silver in the further evolution of their joist ype. How to Breed Golden Wyandottes A Breeder of Nearly Thirty Years Experience Describe Mate to Secure It— He is Aided Materially in 8s Perfect Golden Wyandotte Plumage and Tells How to his Description by Twelve Plates of Feathers, Some of which Approach so Close to Perfection that they Might well be called Perfect Specimens from the Sections to which they Belong — Importance of Under-Golor Ira C. [NoTtge—In the followin points in the successful progress of the Goldeir Wyandotte. “Beauty Breed”’, as he has often termed it, will have a better ur feel a far greater interest in this variety.—F. L. SEWELL,] N TREATING of Golden Wyandottes I shall tell how I breed in order to produce fine specimens of this variety, and I trust that what I say about these birds in regard to their plumage may be of benefit to my " readers. I have been a_ close, ardent “\ea student of the Goldens for nearly thirty years and have experimented more or less each year. My aim has been to breed both the Goldens and Silvers . as open laced all over as possible and still hold a strong black. Many faults are eliminated by breeding for open lacing, but, on the other hand, one gets birds that are poorer in some sections than if less open lacing were desired, but, taken all in all, experience has taught me that to breed for open lacing is the proper course to pursue. We are well aware today that the standard for Laced Wyandottes has always been somewhat of a stumbling block in certain sections of the plumage ever since they were admitted. The present Standard is about right except one section referring to plumage which I should like to see changed. I should like to have the description of the color of the neck of Silver Wyandottes, both male and fe- male, read thus: Neck silvery white with a black stripe following the shaft and ending near the point. The black stripe may have a small open center, called g article Mr. Keller, breeder of Golden Wyandottes par Keller excellence has touched upon many vital I am sure that amateurs who aspire to produce winners of this iderstanding of how to go about the work and all his readers will a diamond, following the shaft, similar to the saddle of the male; each feather to be free from black or brown edging; undercolor, dark slate. , The description of the Goldens should be the same, substituting the words “Golden Bay” in place of “Sil- very White.” Breeders who can remember the Silvers back in the early 80’s will recall that they had large open lacing. I well remember raising birds then with quite large open centers, but our Standard was made and it called for a much darker bird with the wing-bar of the male somewhat on the spangle order, making or forming a double spangle bar across the wing. There was where we went backwards; if that Standard had called for a laced wing-bar it would have saved years of hard labor. Then that Standard was revised and it really called for a much darker bird and Wyandotte breeders had what I call a “dark craze,” their ideal bird showing a solid black stripe in the saddle and hackle of the male. I worked along these lines, more or less, and found that it was contrary to the make-up of the breed to ever suc- ceed in getting a clear and distinct color when breeding such dark birds. I wrote many articles and had them il- lustrated in the leading poultry journals of the country, showing that we could make more progress if we would try to breed them open laced in all sections. I was one of the committee selected to revise the PLATE 2—Fluff plumage and two small feathers fro sections, is produced. m the hock joint of females that were open laced in all The fluff and hock joint are the last sections except the tail and the flight plumage on which lacing 104 Standard for Laced Wyandottes in 1894. That Standard called for the back and saddle plumage to have the diamond centers like the four feathers to the right on Plate I. These feathers are more open centered than the 1894 Standard called for. That Standard also al- lowed the fluff of both sexes to be laced, which was a long step forward. It called for a much more open laced bird than the preceding one. By referring to the plates in our present Standard you will see this beauti- ful open lacing in all sections. We breeders were many years arriving at the point where we wished our birds to look like these ideals. : THE WYANDOTTES a good fair specimen of the fluff lacing of either sex The large majority of fluff feathers are not so good, Correctly shaped lacings in the fluff are not as yet very plentiful, the centers being more or less irregular. The evenness or accuracy of the lacing of the breast controls the fluff lacing a good deal. The feathers shown in Plate 3 are from the wing of a female. Note the evenness of the lacing on all these feathers and the intensity of the black. I like the feather to the left and the second one from the right as they are the most perfect. The four shoulder ¢oy- erts in the middle are very fine indeed. I have always aimed to breed them with the rounded end, and the feather as proad as possible. If you will notice you will learn that the more open laced.a specimen is, the broader the feathers are. We have worked _taore than twenty years now with this object in view, knowing that the broader the feather the more open laced the bird is. Compare the feathers of some quite heavily laced birds or what we call dark birds with these feathers in Plate 3 and you will notice that the band of black on the feathers in the plate is almost as broad as on the feath- ers of the dark birds, but the feath- ers in the plate are broader. This is where we increased the beauty of the fowl. 7 In Plate 4 we show the breast PLATE 3—Feathers from wing of female showing the even tracing and intense black of the lacing with large clear centers and rounded ends. ; ' The laced Wyandottes always had a tendency to be open laced and to show open centers in the fluff, back and neck of the male. If a breeder uses a male that is bred dark in these sections, or one with a large black stripe in feathers of back and neck and with a black fluff devoid of lacing, he will find himself up against a hard proposition if he is trying to breed exhibition fe- males from such a male. The Wyandotte is a laced fowl and the male should be bred with every feather on his body laced with the exception of the main tail coverts, main tail feathers and flights. The female should be laced except the main tail feathers and the flights. It is hard to do, but it can be done and in a few years more, under the present system of mating followed by our leading breeders, these birds ‘will breed freely this way. Description of the Plates - At present the hocks of the males are quite often found laced like the two outside feathers of Plate 5, and it is not uncommon to find fluffs on males laced about as well as the breast. The fluff and the knee or hock of the female are not so profusely laced, as a rule. In Plate 2 are two hock feathers taken from a hen and the rest of the feathers in Plate 2 are from the fluff of hens and pullets which I bred for open lacing. The four feathers to the left are all quite nice, but the second feather from the left in this group of four is my ideal of a laced feather, being quite open, well rounded and very clear cut. It is indeed a handsome feather, such as is not often found in the fluff of the Silver and Goldens. These feathers are from a hen of about the same style of open lacing all over, a hen free from mossiness in cushion, a winner of first at New York. The feather to the left is feathers of this hen as they run : from throat to the thighs. The ‘ feather to the right is the Jast feather where the breast meets the thigh and it is a very good feather for that location, because if a bird has any weak laced feathers in the breast they will surely be found on the lower breast. ' In Plate 5 are shown five fluff feathers from one of my New York winners, a cock bird. It is my belief that these are the best fluff feathers I ever produced on an evenly-balanced, high-class show specimen. Of these the two feathers to the left are the best and are what I should call perfect. Notice the deep, strong, clearly de- fined ‘lacing of these five feathers and how correct the centers are way down to the fluffy portion of the feathers. Here is where so many of them fail—they will break out at the, sides. Just to study the matter further, take some of your males and pluck the feathers :from them and compare them with the two left-hand feathers. Comparison is a great teacher. The two hock feathers (the two small feathers in plate) are fromi the same male and Plate 6 shows his breast from throat to thigh. You will notice the even intense black lacing of these feathers. We should like to see the ends more rounded and the centers not so oblong as in the third feather from the left. é In Plate 1 are two of the saddle feathers from this same male (the third and fourth feathers) which have the diamond shaped centers to the extreme tips, nar rowing down to a needle point, the left-hand feather of these being the more evenly divided. Mr. Sewell has asked how I produced some of these Specimens. Will say that this male is a “Major” bird, 4 descendant of Old Major that I produced in 1888. I have preserved a great deal of his plumage so that I know that he was nearly as open laced in all sections as this THE WYANDOTTES bird. The diamonds in his saddle and tail coverts were good, i.e., open, though not so pronounced as in this bird—Major 22nd, but he was one of the forefathers of Major 22nd. I have bred this one line of blood quite open all these years and the sire, grand sire and great grand sire of Major 22nd were quite openly and evenly marked. The females that were used in these matings were most- ly clear, open laced specimens, having feathers on the order of Plates 3 and 4, though his dam and grand dam had more open laced feathers than these. When birds are bred along these lines and the type of plumage is fixed, there is very little trouble experienced with the many faults of the breed, such as dark, smutty top color and mossiness of the female, and smutty hackles, spangled bar and spangled breast of the male. Plate 7 exhibits the laced feathers that form the wing bar of the.male. You will notice that they are all laced; some about right, some irregular. This is the sec- tion from which it is very difficult to get perfect feathers like the three to the left which came from the upper portion of the bars. These three and the third feather at the right are about all that can be desired. They are very rounded, distinctly, clearly and narrowly laced. The third feather from the right is a very good feather also and the fifth from the right is a beauty. It is one of the first feathers from the top of the wing forming the bar. These feathers are of the deepest beetle green with intense golden bay color, having in a marked degree the sheen of gold metal itself. Most wing bar feathers are more on the order of the two to the right, having the black creeping into the bay cen- ters. The little shoulder covert shown here (fourth feather from the left) is a feather that plays an im- portant part in the makeup of a fine laced bird and it plays an important part in the breeding of a-specimen. In the center of this feather 105 ly striped as it is possible to produce. They are so rich in color that the plate does not show the open centers as clearly as it should. The fourth feather from the right is from the top of the back. A male that has a hackle like the three left-hand hackle feathers and saddle feathers like the four to the right, is the kind of bird that I should use to breed exhibition males, mating him with medium open laced females, but if I should have females that are too open laced on breast and quite open in wing and cushion, I should still use this male. This would make a very satisfactory mating. Such a male can be mated to good advantage either way, but if he had a hackle and saddle like the fourth and fifth feathers from the left, with an almost solid stripe, you would better not use him at all. The feathers shown in Plate 8 are perfect in under- color, being dark slate with a bit of gold next to the skin, though the plate makes them appear to be quite light, owing to the peculiar sheen of the downy portion. It is impossible for photographs to show the actual depth of color of feathers. None of the plates shown herewith distinguish the light undercolor from the dark, as we should like them to do. Plate 9 shows three defective hackle feathers on the left, the third and fourth feathers being finely striped. The third feather has very light undercolor; the second has a splendid tip but a poor and broken stripe and is blotchy. The first one shows the open diamond and is quite good at the tip, though it has defective undercolor. Light undereolor is very common in the neck of both Silver and Golden males, though the Goldens are far better in this respect than the Silvers. The saddle feather to the right is finely striped and (if it were from a Silver Wyandotte you could see it easily) there is a small dia- mond center laced with black, then a rich pay fringe on the outer web instead of an all bay feather. This is what I call a laced shoulder covert and in the best specimens we find just such feathers. Correctly laced wing bars formed of perfect, laced feathers like some of these in this plate, are not so easily produced, but they can be bred. The Golden variety has always produced laced wing bars, not spangled ones like the Silvers. A bird with a@ correct wing bar that is open laced all through is -sure to make a good breeder. Hackle and Saddle Feathers The hackle of this variety is possibly the most faulty section and I doubt if there ever was a bird produced that showed a perfect standard neck. We show two feathers at the left of Plate 8 that approach exceedingly near perfection. Note the fine little bay center follow- ing the shaft. It is more noticeable in the third feather, but the center in this feather is stronger on one side than on the other. The fourth hackle feather in this group—the small feather—is as the Standard now de- scribes it—black center with gold shaft, but females that show these black center hackle feathers have a ten- dency to smaller centers in the back and saddle. The three feathers to the right are from the saddle of the tail of a cock bird with very fine diamond centers of deep rich golden color and they are about as perfect- PLATE 4—Breast feathers from a hen that was well laced from throat to thighs. These feathers were from the upper breast, front, underneath and sides, over thighs, where the breast meets the fluff. Females with plumage like this and that shown in Plate 3. were used in the line of matings that produced the open, clear-centered plumage of ‘‘Major 22nd,” has a good diamond, but the undercolor is defective, be- ing too light. The second saddle feather from the right shows a broken diamond with a perfect tip where the outside gold color extends around the stripe as it should. Such feathers are very rare. The third saddle feather, which is excellent, is one of the feathers which hang on either side of the male’s back, covering the wings. They are narrower and carry a narrower stripe, if striped at all. We like these side hangers to be well striped as they add much to the finish of a bird. Let us return to the plumage of the neck. Plate 10 shows five feathers from the necks of females. Note the 106 THE WYANDOTTES PLate 6—Breast feathers taken from the throat to the fluff and thighs of the same cock from which the breast and cock plumage shown in Plate 5 was taken. Note the evenness in the tone of the color on the centers and quills in both these plates. contrast between the outside feathers. Which is the prettier one? To the left is a standard feather, such as the Standard calls for, with a most excellent tip and the right hand one has an excellent diamond. Females with such necks as the latter are, as a rule, well laced, while females with necks like the one to the left are dark laced or the feathers have mossy centers. The other three feathers show the diamond in a less degree. The Silver variety does not have these diamond hackles as pronounced as the Golden. females show hackles with more or less diamond cen- ters. I should pass the neck as perfect if all the feathers were as good as the second feather to the right. The. tip of it is right. : In Plate 11 we show feathers from a hen’s back taken from between the shoulders (the group of three) to the tail. These feathers are larger in size as they approach the.tail. The third and fourth from the right show most wonderfully shaped feathers with excellent tips and correct bands or lacing of the proper width all Nearly all well laced Golden the way around the end. The fourth one is wrinkled which spoils its shape, but this feather has a wide open center that I like. You will notice a decided difference in the wide rounded ends of these feathers in compari- son with the rest. The third is about the most hand- some feather I have ever produced in this section. It was taken from the cushion where it meets the tail an the top of the back. I produced this hen from the same line as the male whose feathers are shown in Plates 5 and 6, using medium open laced parents for several generations. The color of these feathers is a soft, rich, mellow, golden bay, the lacings being very deep black with a green sheen which is hard to produce on such open laced hens. The three feathers to the left in Plate 11 are evenly laced and the centers.are large enough as they are, re duced two-fifths in size or nearly one-half. To give the reader a better idea of the size of the third feather from the right, would say that the gold center is one and one- eighth inches wide. The two tail covert feathers to the PLATE 7—A very interesting group of feathers from the wi are the kind of feathers tbat become models for future breeding an She Progressive line- d become Standard. bred Golden Laced cock, These THE WYANDOTTES 107 PLATE 10—Five hackle feathers from Golden Laced Wyandotte females showing different degrees of center colc:. The one to the left is such as is described in the present Standard. The * one to the right is the kind usually found on the best open-laced females. Note the density of the black in the central feather. right are finely laced but rather heavily on the ends. In Plate 1 will be seen a cushion and a tail covert feather that are quite narrowly laced at the tips. The cushion feather is wonderful in shape and accuracy of lacing, but the covert shows a trace of mossiness. The third male saddle feather from the right in Plate 1 is the kind I strive to breed. Here is a diamond that is of great width and extends well down to both ends. It has a correct brilliant, green-black lacing all around the diamond. The one to the left of this feather has a still larger diamond with a clearly defined black lacing. Such diamonds mean something in breeding males. A male with this kind of saddle plumage mated to good open laced females should produce females: with backs like Plate 11. If the females are rather too open I should use as a mate a male with a saddle like the two feathers to the right in Plate 1. The four feathers in Plate 12 show what the up-to- date Wyandotte breeder is trying to produce. These male and female hackle feathers are the finest I have ever bred in regard to color and correct markings, while the side hanging saddle feather is exceedingly fine in color, the striping being correct with a perfect tip and strong lacing. The hen tail covert, though it is not placed well on the paper, being crimped, is almost a model. The deep gold color, the greenish-black lacing, the tip of the feather and the center are about all that could be desired. This feather is actually 41% inches long and the gold center is 14% inches wide. The hackle feather and this one were plucked from the same fe- male. A female with feathers like this covert all over her looks as though she had rings laid on and it gives an extraordinarily pleasing and charming effect. In my many years of judging poultry shows, I have PLATE 11—Feathers that illustrate open centers and nearly uniform lacing, taken from the back be- tween the shoulders, to the tail coverts that overlap the tail. These are from birds of the same line that produced the feathers in Plates 5 and 6. The two central feathers are nearly perfect. 108 THE WYANDOTTES PLATE 5—Five fluff and two hock feathers showing trim, open, clear centers and accurate lacing. These are from a first prize New York cock. never yet found a laced Wyandotte with a single section that I could pass as perfect in plumage or what we call color. We should not wonder at this when we compare the Wyandotte with the Laced Polish and Sebright. Look the finest specimens of these over and see.if you can find a section that is perfect according to the Standard. Importance of Undercolor The undercolor in Goldens exerts an important in- fluence over the surface color. We like to see the under- color as dark as possible with rich golden color just next to the skin. This golden undercolor also exerts a great influence on the surface color, having a strong ten- dency to deepen the gold sheen. This rule. will not hold so well in the Silvers, for too much light undercolor in Silvers seems to have a bad effect in the flights and the tails of the males. It is a fact, however, that light under- color in Silvers has a tendency to give a clearer surface color. It does not affect the Goldens. There are many shades of color in Goldens. Heavily laced birds have a tendency to breed very red or bricky which should be avoided. If too light they run toa light or tawny buff. The medium golden bay is the shade we should endeavor to hold as it is not nearly so PLATE $9—Three hackle feathers, to the left, that are very weak in under-color. The fourth feather is finely striped. ‘The second one is blotchy and uneven, THE WYANDOTTES 109 PLATE 1—Two large, open-centered, narrow evenly-laced feathers from the cushion o/a female, and four male feathers from rear of saddle next to tail, showing clear, open, diamond-shaped centers, with strong, well traced Jacing. The two central feathers are from the same cock whose-breast and fluff plumage is shown in Plates 5 and 6. apt to moss in the female nor to give a smoky top color on the male. Hens two years old or older of the darker shades possessing clear centered cushion plumage are not com- mon. The greatest difficulty in Golden and Silver Laced females is to get the plumage free from mossy centers. It is the commonest defect of the laced varieties. A pullet in her first year may be clearly laced, being quite free from the peppered markings, but after molting, her adult plumage may show this defect in a considerable PLATE 8—Hackle, back and saddle feathers. See Mr. Keller’s description and his directions how birds thus markea should be mated to produce the best results in perfect markings. 110 degree. It is only the strong blood of the Wyandotte Yeverting as breeds of modern composition frequently do, to the original parent types of plumage. We see it in the Polish that they have carefully bred for possibly one hundred years, though it is not so pronounced in this old breed as in the Wyandotte. The leading American breeders and the English breeders have been THE WYANDOTTES working diligently to breed out this defect with about equal success. If Wyandottes did not have this “mossy” blood in their veins the road to perfection would be much smoother. If you ever expect to breed any per cent of clear cushioned hens, you must use males with the clear open laced necks and saddles and well defined full laced wing bars. . SUDAB ET ‘2D ‘Vv Aq peiq put poumo saljopurk jy aUYAM JO ad4} Suruurm 94} fo uad & jo jaaeg “qT auepyuesy Aq Suynured ve wos SHLLOGNVAM FLIHM CHAPTER IX White Wyandottes Remarkable Record of the Most Popular White Fowl] in America — Origin and History of the Development of « Great Member of the Wyandotte Family — Admitted to the Standard in 1888 N AW article on the origin of Wyandottes which appeared in the Fanciers’ Gazette for June, 1886, the author, Rev. Chas. L. Ayer, referred briefly to White Wyandottes, concluding his remarks with the following prophetic words: “In an ex- perience of more than 30 years, I have never known a new breed to start with such an immense boom, and with reason, for White Wyandottes start with the almost unmatched reputation their darker cousins have acquired, with the added advantage of self color, which Standard torturers cannot tinker.” The result of that boom is plainly evident to all un- prejudiced observers, and none will deny the claim of the White Wyandotte of being, in a commercial sense, the most important of all the Wyandotte family. It is not only the most popular Wyandotte, but the most popular white fowl of all domesticated races of poultry bred in America. The nearest rival was the White Plymouth Rock. At the New York and Boston shows, in the past five years, the entries of White Wyandottes numbered 1779, those of White Plymouth Rocks reaching the total of 1243. These two shows bring out the strong- est classes of White Wyandottes and White Plymouth Rocks, notwithstanding the high entry fee charged. The largest entry of White Wyandottes at New York was in 1905, there being 304 entries catalogued. The great- est number exhibited at Boston was in 1902 with 227 entries. These entries do not represent the actual num- ber of White Wyandottes on exhibition, as a pen entry contains five and a display cage ten birds. At the New York show of 1908-1909 there were 241 single entries, 24 pens and 2 displays, making a total of 381 White Wyan- 4 | } | FIGURE A. 1893 FIGURE B. WHITE WYANDOTTE MALES 1909 112 dottes on exhibition. The largest number of White Wyandottes ever exhibited was at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904, the entries being as follows: cocks, 108, cockerels 122, hens 129, pullets 148 and pens 64, making a total of 827 specimens. White Plymouth Rocks at the same show numbered 447 specimens. We do not state these facts for the purpose of mak- ing comparisons of the relative popularity of two of America’s best white varieties of fowl, but for the bene- fit of White Wyandotte breeders who have been fortu- nate in taking up a variety that started to boom itself by its own intrinsic merit right from the start. It has ]WINNER OF FIRST, NEW YORK, 1908-9 BRED AND OWNED BY. OG oe : nuoAnD ARTHUR DUSTON, SOUTH FRAMINGHAM,MAS WHITE WYANDOTTE COCKHREL A young White Wyandotte male, of the Modern Standard type, showing well rounded breast and body, well arched neck, excellent concave sweep of back and well furnished tail. Body and hock lines are as described in the Standard. Comb and head points very good. A very good model of the male type. been, and will always be, in the hands of good fanciers, who need only to stick to true Wyandotte type to keep this beautiful white fowl among the leaders in the feathered kingdom. It has a worthy rival in the White Plymouth Rock, a variety handled with just as much skill by equally good fanciers as those who handle the White Wyandottes. Both are valuable as market fowl, but on different lines. a The attempt to’ depart from the original Wyandotte type should be frustrated whenever made. The White Plymouth Rock breeders have adhered to the fixed type and brought their variety to 4 high standard, both from a show and a market standpoint. It has been ‘apparent in the past five or ten years that some breeders of Wyandottes lean toward a heavier, blockier and more THE WYANDOTTES loose feathered Wyandotte especially if the latter was of that class known as “dead white” in plumage. Awards were often placed on such specimens by judges who drifted in the same direction. This caused no end of discussion, and brought out strong protests from men who believe in sticking to the type of a breed, and who, right or wrong, believe the short, blocky or dumpy type to be detrimental to the best results in a utilitarian sense. Succeeding articles in this chapter fully cover this ground. The contributors are breeders who have. had experience in breeding, handling and exhibiting White Wyandottes for many years. The illustrations by Sewell .and Schilling afford excellent subjects for the study of type in the modern Wyandotte. Personally, we desire to state that Wyandotte type as seen in our best specimens today has not materially changed from that seen in the winners of ten or more years ago. We -call attention to two illustrations on page 111 that will prove a fairly good object lesson to students of type. Figure A represents a White Wyandotte cockerel bred by the late C. F. A. Smith of Waltham, Mass. This was one of the famous “Promoter” strain, the fountain head of many good White Wyandottes in New England. Mr. Sewell made this sketch in 1893. Figure B repre- sents a noted winner of 1909. This picture was made from a photugraph taken by Mr. Sewell. Making due allowance for an idealized drawing, the difference in type of these two birds is very little. It would take but very little retouching and changing of back lines to make an almost ideal Wyandotte male of the photographic illus- tration. The graceful, curved lines are there without the exaggerated circular lines depicted in some illustra-. tiong. The clearly defined hock line is another true Wyandotte characteristic, demanded by the Standard, but often overlooked by breeder, judge and artist. ; Mr. F. W. Proctor, who has devoted considerable’ time and study to research work in‘connection with the origin of Wyandottes, has prepared the following article on: White Wyandotte History It is a difficult proposition to account historically for any white fowl, owing to the frequent spontaneous appearance of white sports, even from black varieties, or any whose hereditary color has been disturbed by crosses. The Wyandotte being of this class, and more- over of a color scheme embracing white as a factor, solid white and black being but exaggerated forms of its color habit, reversions to both were quite natural and frequent. As these off-color specimens were felt to be a menace to one’s credit as a careful breeder, their appearance in a flock was concealed by prompt removal. Some breeders having begun to exploit these in 1885 as a promising new color type of Wyandotte, the fact of these frequent white sports was brought prominently before the public, with claims to the honor of origina- tion, by several whose prophetic insight had impelled to foster and breed them as a distinct variety. - The names of three breeders came out prominently in this connection, Messrs. Fred A. Houdlette of Massa- chusetts and George W. Towle and B. N. Briggs of New York State, the latter-named being the originator of the Columbian variety. Little that these originators ever told is of permanent historical interest. Perhaps the most valuable matter of ee kind is to present a twenty- year-old illustration of this variety with evidence that not only the workmanship of the cut but the birds them- Selves represent the best of that day. Mr. Lee is re- membered as among the foremost delineators in the field of poultry, with a keen eye for exact details, This THE WYANDOTTES cut appeared in the Poultry Monthly for December, 1888, with a descriptive article by the artist, whose words we quote: “The birds represented are believed by, several of the best judges in the country, to be among the very finest of this breed that nature has produced, and the picture is made in profile. * * * * To obtain this view, the fowl must be placed on an elevation, so that the cen- ter of its body will be on a line from the observer’s eye to the horizon; which differs materially from that shown in an ordinary picture. * * * * Mr. Croffut’s picture was made from photographs of the fowls. ‘Silver King’ needs no further praise than the statement from Mr. Felch, that ‘of all White Wyandottes it is extremely doubtful if he is beaten for a number of years; he is of a type that not one male in a thousand can boast of, free from all Leghorn taint.’ The female in the picture is the best of several that were exhibited with their mate at Rochester last season, and of which Mr. Felch said, ‘They are equally as fine as he is.’” This cut is interesting as establishing what must be accepted as the original type of the Wyandotte, shown by the early Silvers. bodies the conception of many of our best breeders. Probably the most salient feature of Wyandotte history has to do with this shortness of body found in its ex- treme development in the White variety—an inheritance from the original description of 1883, repeated from that day to this, giving the body as “short.” A comparative study of the standard of other breeds—for even the .Short-appearing Cochin has a body of “medium length” —never would have permitted this error. An extreme development of most any other section could not have militated so seriously against practical ° “utility, as this curtails within the female’s body the necessary working space for egg production. A return for the Wyandotte to its original egg-type is already manifest. And, in order to allow the Wyandotte a fair show as a fowl of eggs—and even then suffer a handi- cap from the Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks, described respectively as “long” and “rather long”—the Wyandotte should in justice to its needs be granted a body description of “medium length.” The accompany- ing portraits of noted winners show a physical, build that is already finding favor as offering a relief from the dumpy type of Wyandottes. As compared with the Standard models, their enhanced length does not render them un-Wyandotte in build, but extends promise of greater usefulness. The prophetic instinct of the few has not yet ex- tended to the masses, but conditions point to a more utilitarian type which shall find favor among fanciers. If the Wyandotte shall continue to hold its past prestige, it will not be by virtue of a squatty build which former fashion denominated the proper thing in type, but be- cause it proves adapted in the keenest competition among rival breeds to hold its own, among other utilitarian traits, as a superior egg producer. As between varieties, and in consideration of the extrinsic features of speci- mens, beauty can never grow less as a value-fixing fac- tor; but between breeds—and shape, while not literally making the breed, is an essential element—not mere fashion but accomplished results will be the determining factor of popularity. In this view, it behooves Wyan- dotte breeders to convene upon this vital issue of type and declare for that which means primarily the most money from a practical standpoint, and again, an an- ticipated enhancement of interest following the larger In its longer proportions it em- 113 degree of beauty that attends longer lines of physical build. The Wyandotte has its own distinctive build which elongation does not mar, following its peculiar well- spread-at-base tail and fullness of curve in every section. This point of the crying need of enhanced length of body is made in connection with the history of the White variety, as it is this color of the Wyandotte which in practice has dominated the type, and also it is strictly a matter of history how this short-sighted choice of descriptive terms, persisting from the first draft of its Standard, has continued to stand as a lion in the path of the breed’s advancement to a type which QUEENIE OF-ASHLAND™ == | FIRST PRIZE HEN.NEW YoRK UR GDUSTON 5° FRAMIN OWNER AND BREEDE One of the finest White Wyandotte hens that ever appeare.d at the Madison Square Garden was the blue ribbon’winner of 1907. The photographic reproduction by Mr. Sewell is most excellent, as it shows the style, shape and finish of the bird very distinctly. Comb head and neck are Standard ideals, back and tail excelleutin length and breadth, breast full and deep,-body and fluff not as close in feather as we like, but a small defect in an otherwise model Wyandotte adult female, selection for egg production might shape. To change the Wyandotte sections “body” and “back” from “short” to “of medium length” would suffice to remove this em- bargo against useful performance and allow the most prolific specimens a place in standard description. A historical sketch of the White Wyandotte would be incomplete without reference to its color. Regarded as a lineal descendant from the Silvers, this claim has been borne out by its off-color tendencies, both the brassy faults of the original variety and reversional ten- dencies toward black having persisted from the begin- ning. Tradition has it that the White variety has re- ceived accessions of blood from various sources since its early derivation from sports, none of which could have 114 perceptibly affected color for better or worse. Judging from modern conditions, the early representatives of the variety could not have been remarkably clean colored; for a passable degree of whiteness is a very recent trait, and anything like perfection is rarely reached even yet. As an illustration of how ideals develop irrespective of standard description, the “pure white” of the pres- ent Standard—save that its requirements have been ex- tended to quili and shaft—is the identical original speci- fication of color. But in twenty years’ time, its applica- tion is so changed as to present in effect another de- scription. For years it has been held that the ideal— because the only possible—white plumage upon yellow- skinned breeds was one of the milk-white order. Further elimination of this tinge derived from the red pigment has allowed the original construction of the Standard’s color term to be extended in favor of a dead-white ideal, and this without specific authority. Mr. I. K. Felch states that the quality of white plumage to be found upon the most productive speci- mens is distinct from the pure white that constitutes the recognized tone of exhibition color, and advocates a change in the Standard’s text by which milk-white plumage may compete with the pure white upon equal terms. This plan has a commercial bearing, giving our present color culls such « recognition by the Standard as would enable them to pass among the less discrimin- ating buyers. But would not such a plan prove really a source of confusion of the two distinct propositions, faney and utility? I believe there is no precedent for THE WYANDOTTES such a course of action. Nothing short of the highest conception of beauty—within the limits of the recog- nized attainable—has ever stood for a breed’s ideal. Popular opinion long ago denominated the pure white so manifestly correct that fanciers have left no stone ‘unturned in the effort to attain it. No utilitarian con- sideration can possibly prevail to turn down the beauty of pure whiteness in favor of less purity of color. The logical solution of the difficulty is the develop- ment of special utility stocks of fowls, which with the gradual unfolding of the strictly practical phase of the poultry business may cut as important a figure as the most approved exhibition strains of today—but still not calculated to be seen in the show room as living speci- -mens. Utility shape for the Wyandottes is commendable —nay, imperative—but a utility color for exhibition stock is not to be thought of. By universal acceptance the “pure white” of the original Standard will be held to its modern significance. But a question of importance con- fronts us. In the absence of score-card work, what legitimate proportion of attention do shape and white- ness stand for? Can shape consistently win over color? The actual importance of a purely white plumage tran- scends shape considerations, in the mind of the average breeder, far in excess of the authority conveyed by the Standard’s scale of points for the American class, which places 31 points upon plumage sections as against 25 points for shape of said sections. (Note.—In the latest review of the Standard, 30 points are allotted to color and 31 points to shape in the plumage section.—Editor.) A PAIR OF NOTED WESTERN WINNERS The illustration of the cockerel and pullet was made by Mr. Schilling at the yards of e the fine type, size and Wyandott stamped in every section of both male and female, head points being haracteristics of two of the winners, bred by these especially strong. J.C. Fishel & Son,and gives an excellent idea of Prominent Western breeders, Vigor and activity are . Breeding White Wyandottes Practical Suggestions on Mating for Type and Color by the Expert Manager of One of America’s Great Poultry Farms Maurice F. Delano VERY variety of fowls has its characteristic faults that require careful mating to coun- teract. The White Wyandottes have their full share and they can only be rectified in the breeding pen. Among the most pro- nounced, are the faults in shape, such as legs too long and perhaps close at the hocks, breast too high, back narrow, tail pinched and carried too high with a sharp angle with back. Another common shape fault is a long back and keel, making the bird approach a Plymouth Rock in type. In mating, it is always essential to correct on one side the defects of the other. The majority of winning eockerels are too high up and have tails carried a little high. This sty cockerel is very showy and very often is good enough to carry off the honors. In selecting hens to mate with such a cockerel I would select birds that are short in legs and rather too long in back. Closeness at hocks is a hard fault to thoroughly eradicate from a flock and itis apt to crop out in a small percentage of the chicks from most any mating. A broad back and well spread tail are the crowning glory of the Wyandotte and if your male is defective in these points it is absolutely necessary to correct as well as you can with your females. A broad backed female with almost the length of a Plymouth Rock will help a lot in correcting faulty tail carriage. Such females are in every flock and are useful breeders, although not good show birds in hot company. > A bird that is too short and blocky, and usually a little underweight, is useful to correct too much length of body in our show birds. It is not common, however, to find an extremely blocky bird that is up in weight, hence such a male should be mated to extra large fe- males. A few birds are produced each year that com- bine size with the blockiness of the ideal Wyandotte. Such birds are the aim of every breeder when making his matings and they are produced often enough to en- courage us to keep trying and eventually they will come in a goodly percentage of specimens. If your flock is running to poor color of eye, get rid of it. It is a fault that should not be tolerated for a moment. There are many birds with perfect eye color that have ancestors for years back that have been good in the same section. It will pay to buy such a bird to add to your fiock. Occasional green shanks still come and green spots on shanks or toes are quite common. The latter are not bad defects in breeders if balance of legs are bright yellow. ‘ The color of plumage can be ruined by improper rearing and housing ‘of chicks when young. Lice will spoil the texture and brilliancy of plumage in the grow- ing chicks. Dead plumage without gloss is as unattrac- tive in a white fowl as it is in a Buff or any other color. Snowy white surface color and quills are required in order to win. Classes are too big and hot to allow a creamy bird to win out any more. Color should never be sought at the expense of shape. It should be sought, however, to combine with good shape in mating an ideal show bird. The ideal male to breed white quills is the male whose pin feathers are always pink in quill when coming in and that never show the yellow oily pigment that makes so many good birds slow in ripening their plum- age. Such male birds frequently come with bright yel- low legs and beaks and are grand good breeders that will fix their color in their offspring. Yellow corn fed to moulting birds in large quantities will undoubtedly affect the color of the new feathers, and fill them with yellow pigment. This will give a creamy cast to the plumage that will not disappear for some time. After plumage is matured, it will not affect color to any great extent. This is true of both old and young birds. Ticking in plumage usually comes only in the whit- est specimens. It is a rare thing to find an absolutely white bird that does not have a single splash of gray in plumage. If it is confined to a few small feathers of neck, back, wing-bow or fluff, it is not a bad defect. When it appears in main wing and tail feathers or is well scattered in every section, it is more serious. Splashes of black are bad at any time, but be sure it is positive black before discarding. ; Combs are coming better in most flocks. Avoid breeding a male with a‘well pebbled standard comb to females with same type comb. It is better to have one side or the other have a comb nearly smooth and quite free from pebbling. Coarse combs are apt to come when there ‘is too much pebbling on both sides. This article covers the main points that bother all White Wyandotte breeders. CHAMPION 1. | FIRST PRIZE COCK GUELPH ONT. CANADA DEC.1908- Geo. M.KLINE DOWNERS GROVE ILL. Desirable Shape of White Wyandottes An Experienced and Successful Breeder of this Popular Variety Advises How to Secure ‘‘Evenness of Shape and a Large Percentage of Show Specimens” Arthur G. Duston CCORDING to our best authorities, suf- ficient length of body must prevail, or the egg capacity will be lowered. We know that in cows a long body, “big barrel,” gives indications of big eaters and good digestion with resulting milk capacity. For a fact, Dolly Bloom, who holds several world’s records, is not a handsome animal in my eyes, being too long in body. But “handsome is that handsome does,” and it would take several thou- sand dollars to buy her, if she could be purchased at any price. So then, while I would not go back to those long- bodied, scant-necked birds so common a dozen years ago, I would in this article just caution all interested breeders against an extreme in this breeding for short- ness. All, who have paid any attention to this matter, have noticed that it is the bird with the hearty appetite denoting corresponding food capacity and assimilation that lays the. eggs. : A party was at my place only a short time since, who had two of this year’s pullets that had for many weeks been laying four days out of every five, and these were the pullets that were always ready to eat. They must have sufficient length of body to carry on the necessary functions, thus making them practically prof- itable. To make this a really helpful article as to obtaining desirable shape, I suppose it may not be entirely right to assume perfect conditions to begin with. Personally, were I reading such an article I would want something that would be instructive with the flock I was breeding from. Breeder Should Know His Birds In the first place I will frankly state that this will be helpful only to those who know their birds. How many, many people invite me to look over their flocks thinking that they have reached near to perfection, but that possibly I might be able to help them a little. When I do so, I find that so often they are “falling down” over one of the very things that they ought to know, and are allowing some rank defect to exist and become perpetuated by breeding it in year after year. ‘. §o, dear reader, don’t think to make progress in any breed unless you know the Standard. Buy one at once! It costs a bit, but it is more expensive not to own one. Then go to the shows, putting in a few birds. This is the surest method and the quickest, although many times it is harsh medicine. i Let us take up an imaginary case to work from. Mr. X has three hundred White Wyandotte females and twenty-five males that he has reserved for breeding. He has, during the past three years been selecting his breeders with care, using a new male in one pen each year and breeding with some pains the balance with his flock, getting each year fair results, a few real good birds, and now and again a show bird. Many of the fe- males show long “gear” and many are defective from comb to foot. Now, how to reach the road to evenness of shape and a larger percentage of show birds. Select with Care Out of the three hundred, I would select six to ten females as near to the Standard as I could (must con- form in shape to the Standard and be alike.) If I knew the parentage, so that all were the same, I would be so much better pleased. If I could not find six I would take five. " I would take a male, if I had one that was bred in the same lines—if the same sire and dam so much the better, had I not been carrying the lines too close. First, he must be in most ways, about what my ideal of a show bird must be, not necessarily in every section a show specimen, this would be preferable though, at any rate he must be right in shape and colorg#you can work along for the other points quite fast. If I had not the bird to do the chore for me I would certainly scrape up what money I could spare and go out and buy the best well-bred bird I could get, only being limited in the quality by my resources, I would’ take him home for this mating. * Plan For Future Progress Having selected the males and females, I should take the pen, call it Number 1X, and plan to set enough eggs from the mating to give me a goodly number of chicks, not all March or April birds, but some May and June chicks. These I would raise with extra care, giv- ing them a chance by themselves, knowing the dam as well as the sire. The product from this mating would serve me for use throughout the coming years as feeders to my other stock. I would carefully grade—after the making of the first mating—the very best of the rest of the flock and if I could get males of the same blood as headed the best pen I would do so, otherwise I would use the best of my own, punching the chicks to know the matings they come from. If I did not know the Standard re- quirements well enough to select my best, I would hire someone to do it for me. I shall confine myself now almost exclusiveiy to this No. 1X pen as this must be the fountain furnishing the resources from which you draw to help you in all your pens and which ultimately must be the whole flock. Now, don’t for « moment condemn the bird bought if he has not produced you all the young, or nearly all, as good as himself. His may be a force that has only been able to give you a fairly good uplift and again, as is the case with many birds I have sold, he may have stamped his splendid quality upon every one of his chicks. I have in mind an especially noted case, of a bird that stamped his remarkable qualities in all his young. even until he was so old as to breed only a single bird to him, and his progeny is winning in hundreds of hands today. Not all birds can, or do, do this any more than there are many Sheet Anchors in cattle or Mor- gans in horses, but there are thousands that have done their share towards making big milk machines and wor- derful trotters, For the old male the coming year, put him with a pen of his pullets watching which have come along more to favor him and breed from these. These young THE WYANDOTTES are three-fourths his blood. I would eliminate from this produce every chick or mother of them that did not come along to follow my conception of the standard of popular requirements. Am I disloyal to the Standard when I say “popular requirements?” I believe not, for does the Standard more than keep up with popular re- quirements? In the future there must be closer atten- tion paid by Standard makers to the breeder and less to the professional judges. To return, I would take the old birds in the original No. 1X pen, mate them back to a. cockerel, of course as I know which is his dam I use extra care to see that the chicks from her are punched and raised for my future breeding. I would take the best pullets left after the cock’s mating was made up and put the best cockerel with them, or, if one had not shown up as good as I wanted, I would buy from the same source as before a male to put with them. Then, each year, I would keep WINNERS OF SPECIAL FoR BEST CCKEREL “vo FAVRPULLETS, BOSTON /910. tena JOHNS MARTIN PORT DOVER. CANADA BEES ETE EE TDD 117 a record of each mating, bringing the lines closer and closer, only depending on outside blood from one source and using only the progeny of this for general intro- ducing into my flock. Care and Persistence Bring Success The getting of shape then really comes down to knowing it whenever you may see it in all your matings, off-setting as far as possible, apparent defects in fe- males by using a male that is strong in those sections. Of course, a thorough knowledge of the birds gives a greater and clearer conception of what you have and what you need. It is not the older breeder who has the trick, but a more complete knowledge of what will, or what will not, reproduce itself. Strive year after year for this shape and you cannot but be rewarded. A study of favored show birds and fine cuts helps to stamp in the mind what to aim for. mee } ta, f WHITH WYANDOTTES, 1910 The most recent illustration of the fashionable White Wyandotte, admired by b L. Sewell artistically and beautifully, portrays the Bown tee wae Gr een datie male; body and fluif are rather loose feathered; back and tail, First pullet on the right shows great fullness and depth of breast and body. lacks fullness in neck, has breast show the fine curved outlines and fullness, while not fully developed, show good type. i i i i ficient out fine length and shape of back but is a little too short in legs, the hocks not showing su cal aie: fine iB head and comb points, well arched neck, nicely conv: breast and body well rounded and deep shanks of good length; the two pu back, tail, breast and body with nice length of legs. reeders of to-day. This study of Wyandotte type by Franklane The comb and head points of the cockerel are ideal; neck and line; second pullet on the right, a very symmetri- exed back, breaking a little too much at juncture of tail, well spread tail, llets on the left are very similar in type, showing excellent lines of neck, The Modern White Wyandotte Improvement of this Popular Variety in Shape and Color—The Amateur Must Become Familiar with Standard Requirements—The Show Room as an Educator—Importance of Uniformity in Judging—How to Mate for Desired Results—The Danger of Extremes John S. Martin FEW years ago the good specimens of this variety were rare. White birds with poor shape and good shaped birds with poor color were to be seen in every show. Now at all the big shows dozens of birds that would have been considered “stars” a few years ago do not even get into the money. Before you can ever expect to make any progress, you must study your variety and learn to know a good bird when you see one. Take the illustrations of White Wyandottes in the Standard and study them in detail until you have them firmly imprinted in your mind’s eye, then you must become thoroughly familiar with the description of both male and female. The Show Room as An Educator But like all poultry literature, you might read this Standard description and yet not become a good judge of a bird unless you could see this applied to the actual birds, themselves. Here the show-room is a great and important factor. How common at the shows is the man who has such good ones at home but was too busy to get them ready. He can always tell you anything you want to know about White Wyandottes, and what good ones he has at home. This man is in that peace- ful state of blissful ignorance and he will never wake up until he brings these birds out to the show and has them valued at their real worth. Then, in all proba- bility he will find that they have hidden defects that he knew nothing of. Preparing virds for the show teaches a man to ex- amine his birds in a most rigid manner. How often we all have been sorely disappointed in a bird that we had been counting on for a coming show. When we began to handle this bird just before the show we found de- fects that simply made it an impossibility as a show bird. My contention is that showing makes you compe- tent to judge your own birds. The first two years I ex- hibited at our leading Canadian exhibition, I did not get a single mention in the winnings, but it did me a world of good and I learned what was required in a good show bird. Take your birds to the show, and if you are not fortunate enough to get a prize, get the judge to point out where your birds are deficient. Learn to Be Critical One of the most difficult things for some breeders is to see defects in their own birds, and good qualities in their’ opponent’s birds. This is something that we all are prone to do, and we must be on our guard against it. Have your ideal firmly fixed in your mind and when you see a specimen that approaches this ideal, give it credit, no matter who the owner may be. I am unable to see any success ahead for the man who can see no one’s birds but his own. Judges have a heavy responsibility in seeing that they properly apply the Standard. No judge has any right to have fads. The specimens to which he awards the ribbons should be patterns for the other exhibitors to go by. Some judges make a fad of color and place the blue ribbon on the whitest bird regardless of shape. This is wrong, because according to the Standard, Wyan- dotte shape should exceed in value all color considera- tions. White Wyandotte Defects Chicks with single combs and dark green legs are disqualified and when large enough they should be mar- keted. Never place in your breeding pen a bird having either of these defects. Another defect and one which you should be very severe with is that of green or pearl eyes. The Stand- ard calls for a red or bay eye, and in a breeding bird 1 always like a rich red eye, as this rarely fades and is the strongest from a breeding point of view. There is nothing that will reproduce itself so persistently as a green or pearl eye and a flock can be practically ruined in a few years by allowing males with defective eye color in your breeding pens. Another section where so many White Wyandottes fail is the tail. So many have pinched tails and are narrow across the saddle. Try if possible to get a male very broad across the saddle and with tail nicely spread. By breeding only males strong in this section you will find a great improvement in your flock in a couple of years. Try to get small, neat combs on your birds. It spoils the appearance of a bird to see too large a comb. Weak lobes are a serious defect, and I never like to breed a cockerel having this defect. Sometimes cockerels with sound lobes will show some white in their lobes as cocks, but this is not so serious and is often due to poor circulation. : While I always like cockerels and pullets with strong yellow legs, we will often find some of the _whitest plumaged birds a little weak in leg color. If such a bird is good in shape and not too pale in leg, mate to a bird having strong leg color, and you need not fear results. Weak leg color in birds over one year old is excusable because every summer this. leg color will fade. Some will get it back when they shed the scales from their legs, while others never regain this leg color. Why this is true I am unable to say, but it is nevertheless a fact. ; Never breed from a brassy male, but be sure to dis- tinguish brassiness from creaminess of plumage. The brassiness is wholly a surface color and is due to an ex-. terior cause; namely, the sun, while creaminess’ is due to the pigment in the skin coloring the feather. In this case when the feather matures the oil dries up and the feather whitens. The best place for a bird with creamy plumage is right in the sun as this quickly dries up the oe the plumage and when it is once white it stays White Wyandotte breeders must be careful not to ete heanires Heals I would like to quote from Mr. Sew- : s article on “Changes of Wyandotte Type.” “The main points in an ideal should always be to make it a safe guide in breeding and showing true ideas of beauty and utility.” Single or Double Matings ? Breeding White Wyandoties flor Exhibition by the Single or Double Mating System. Discussed by Prominent Breeders ‘HAS V. KEELER: I practice double mating in the breeding of White Wyandottes, for T find by my lowg experience it takes a dif- ferent shaped male to breed good females than to breed good exhibition males. To produce good males we require a male with a concave sweep to his back, no break in front of the tail and the back well curved. A male with his tail carried at an angle of 50 degrees from the horizontal will breed scoop- backed (curved-back) females. To this male, mate fe- males with what I call “seooped backs,” that is fe- males with very good curved ‘backs, and the tail carried at the same angle as the males, 50 degrees from the horizontal—and you have a good cockerel mating. In mating for pullets I use a male having a rather beefy comb with coarser corrugations, and not quite as firm on the head as an exhibition male’s comb. The back of this bird should be very broad and tail carried -very low, since the Stand- ard calls for the female’s tail to be carried at an angle of 40 degrees from the horizontal. This is ten degrees lower than the tail of the exhibition male is car- ried, and so we have to use males with -the low, well- spread tail. After you have bred in line from birds of this kind, and carry two lines of blood as I have for the last ten years, never re- cross the two lines. It is no trick to produce males that make good pullet breeders or females that make good cockerel breeders. The most trouble I have is to sell a breeding pen of the different matings to the beginner, for if you send him a good cockerel mating, of course the females are not good exhibition specimens, and if you sell him a good pullet mating the male in the pen is not an exhibition specimen, Some beginners will not wait a year to see what they breed, but will condemn the breeder who sold them. The important point I am trying, and have always tried, to emphasize in my strain of birds is shape. I have always had good shape in my flock, even a dozen years ago, when all the White Wyandottes were brassy I was always strong in shape, for I simply cannot stand to have a poor shaped specimen in my yards, even if it were perfect in color in every section. combs and head points. The above photograph gives an excellent idea of the type of White Wyandotte males, bred by Chas. V. Keeler. They are of the massive, blocky Wyandotte stamp, having great spread of tail, broad back, and good depth of body, with fine As to giving prominence to any particular section, they must all be good, but I am a crank on a good, broad back and a well spread tiuil, and will not stand for any narrow-backed, pinched-tail specimens in the breed- ing pen. If any such appear, by reversion to remote ancestry, they find the block before they are fully ma- tured, or are sold to the utility man that wants layers and market birds. In my best mating I only allow from two to four females so as not to be compelled to use trap-nests, as by a little care I can learn to tell which hens lay the eggs and so do not need trap nests. By this method the birds have their liberty all day, instead of having to wait until the attendant comes to release them from the trap nest. These are the birds—these special mat- ings—from which the male birds are raised each sea- son to head the general breeding pens the following season, as I positively would not use a male I did not know the breeding of for at least four generations. The type of male that I use for a pullet breeder must be bred from a line that has produced males of a similar type for at least four gen- erations before I use him in the general pens. The same is true of the _ cockerel- breeding females. . The great thing with me is shape, the next is color, then eye and comb. I would not breed a bird with rank comb but let him have shape and color, good bay eyes, and his comb does not necessarily have to be practically per- fect to suit me fora breeder. With the beginner it is different and about the first thing he looks for is comb and then eye, and about the last thing considered is shape, especially if the bird is white. As to color, every male that will be used in my breeding yards next season is white in web and quill, and never showed any cream in the undercolor, but was always white and will al- ways stay white, because they, are bred that way. In regard to the important points we strive each year to overcome in mating, will say that as a general rule we try to improve the chick, taking into considera- tion the different points as a whole to overcome. How- ever, we might add that where we, by chance, have a male whose comb is a little large, we aim to mate pul- lets to him whose combs especially are small. The re- sult, of course, is a very near perfect size comb, and in WESTERN WHITE WYANDOTTE COCK 120 the same way, in all other sections where one sex is lacking in some particular section, we aim in mating to improve by selecting some specimens extra strong in that lacking section in the opposite sex. J. C. Fishel & Son: For a breeding male we select a bifd that is very shapely; one with a deep, full breast, alert on his legs —not to the extremes, but a Wyandotte. Not too short so as to call him duck legged—just a good Wyandotte length of legs. We want him to have a good head, broad across the crown—nearly a Brahma head. He must have a good comb. We like them well pebbled and spike to conform with the head, but not too large and coarse. Eyes a rich red—discard all light or fish eyes. They will give you trouble. Ear-lobes a nice red. Don’t breed a bird if he shows the least bit of white, if good in all other sections. It is apt to ruin your flock. Neck is a strong feature in the makeup of a Wyandotte. It wants to be short, well arched and with abundant hackle feathers. That will add to the short appearance of the back. We have seen many good birds spoiled by having a long neck and too straight a body. The latter must be very broad and deep and rounded nicely. Don’t select for a breeder one that is narrow across the saddle. There is one place you want him broad. Then he is more inclined to have a nice broad, open tail. Se- lect a bird that curves nicely on the back and with the We practice double mating. tail not too high. Legs of good color, set wide apart, - toes straight and free from down. Watch these points and then select one that is white, not only on the sur- face but in quill—say from surface to skin. The above will make you a male that if mated to females of sim- ilar type will surely breed you a large percentage ot extra fine show specimens. In the females we select them with head similar to the male’s. Beware of cup in comb, color of plumage, and be sure to note color of legs. Keep that nice, yel low leg. You will find it much harder to keep a nice _yellow leg when you breed for absolutely white birds, but it can be done. We do it, and others do it. If we didn’t have to have that deep yellow leg we could al! breed very white birds. In selecting females, always select the broad, deep bodied birds, broad on back, especially at juncture of tail, and select them with nice open tail, or spread tail. Then with it carried at about 45 degrees angle, and with some cushion, you have my type of female. Stay close to the Wyandotte type. Discard those that are too much Cochin; also the Plymouth Rock. As to the number of females to one male,it depends on the vigor of male. We mate from ten to fifteen fe- males to one male. We breed fine type and color and keep in line with all good points. We are after color and shape. J. H. Jackson, Massachusetts.: I prefer a- very blocky bird in every way, that is, very short back, short spread tail and broad breast, and legs well apart. I mate females of somewhat the same type asthe male, although I will allow some length in body of female, for I find that a bird or male that is ideal in shape will, or does, give me very good type with females that are short enough in body. The good results I have had in THE WYANDOTTES many years breeding in this manner have convinced me that double mating is not needed except in parti-colored birds. As a rule I do not mate over ten females in my pens, I find I get as good results as with half that number, that is, for fertile eggs. I have removed a female many times when I have found she was getting too much at- tention from the male, by having all the feathers worn off her back very early in the season. My aim has been to get as many sections perfect as possible. First thing with me is shape, then color, I will favor a bird with good head points. A good comb is a very strong point in my breeding. I have found, since 1 started to breed, that a bird with a poor comb is not worth much no matter how good in other ways, and as a rule, will be put down when sold, although other good points make it a winner. A good head is a great feature to look out for. That is one of the lead- ing questions asked by the breeder wanting to purchase, especially if he is a beginner. A NOTED EASTERN WINNER One of the massive. cobby type; good in comb , On € ; and head oan great in fullness and arch st neck; well curved back lege cone Soph broaet pe well toumded breast and body; S$, of proper length; s i Wyandotte adult males cree exhibited, a ad CHAPTER X Buff Wyandottes History of the Origin and Development of a Most Popular Buff Fowl—How Type and Color Were Gradually Obtained to Meet Standard Requirements F. W. Proctor T IS always interesting and helpful to our com- parative knowledge of breeds to be able to trace the development of a variety to undoubted sources —to say nothing of the gratuitous aid to the con- scientious historian. There is no disputing as to the breeds concerned in the making of the Bulf Wyandotte, as the facts were fully brought out by the originators of several strains in joint debate over the proper distribution of honors; but the lapse of time has been sufficient to allow a general amalgamation of the strains. The appearance of the Buff Wyandotte was coinci- dent with a furor for buff plumage. In England the ad- vent of a Leghorn and Orpington in buff and their im- portation to America had called attention to this hither- to rare color as one promising to be generally popular; and the fancy for a Wyandotte (conjointly with a Ply- mouth Rock) of buff plumage was launched in advance of the building of the craft, as we might say. This want was met by the exploiting as Wyandottes of light-toned Rhode Island Reds. In 1891 and the year following, stock of this description was shown at New York and Philadelphia by Dr. Aldrich and R. G. Buffing- ton. But as any one conversant with the two breeds may easily imagine, these early specimens were off-type, no less as to proper color than physical skill, as judged by modern ideals. None the less, however, as regards both these elements—being of utility type and none too much of a good thing in color, looking to future in breeding—the Rhode Island Red was well-adapted as a foundation stock for the future Wyandottes, and was used largely for this purpose. The above was earliest Buff Wyandotte history so far as transpired at the time, but three years. before that date, an accidental cross of White and Golden Wyandottes, resulting in a buff chick, had suggested to George H. Brackenbury, as related by him in the Poul- try Monthly for May, 1900, the possibilities in buff as a Wyandotte coloration; and the following spring (1889) found him mating systematically to produce this variety, in which he used the cockerel above referred to with a Buff Cochin hen, also another mating of a Golden Wyandotte cock with a Buff Cochin hen, breeding the results of the two crossings together both ways the fol- lowing season; the latter mating producing above 50 per cent of chicks with clean legs and rose combs, including a cockerel that became the progenitor of many winners. This strain in Mr. Dutcher’s hands became celebrated. These two strains I have mentioned in the order of their priority in appearance, and they represent the two extremes as to component blood. The Silver Wyandotte and Rhode Island Red were interbred to form Mr. Buf- fington’s strain. Mr. F. L. Mattison made a beginning with the purchase of the birds shown at New York in 1892 by Messrs. Aldrich and Buffington. Concerning the strain thus founded, Mr. C. S. Mattison wrote (Poultry Monthly, November, 1899): ‘Ihe year previous to their coming into “my possession, my brother wrote Mr. Dutcher, who had then purchased the entire strain of Mr. Brackenbury, that unless he could spare him a male or two, he would procure a sparsely feathered-legged Buff Cochin male; this was necessary from the fact that the Rhode Island Red Buffs could not hold their own in competition with the Cochin-made Buffs, which are larger, better colored and had more of the Wyandotte shape. Mr. Dutcher sent him an old bird that came di- rect from Mr. Brackenbury, and a son of this bird, which have helped this strain of Buffs a great deal.” It is plain that the opposed types represented in these two strains were mutually corrective each of the other’s faults, Continuing, Mr. Mattison states: “I think it is a fact that there is very little of what is termed Rhode Island Red blood in any flock of Buff Wyandottes that are prominent in the show room today, and how much the present Buffs owe to the past R. I. Red blood is difficult to estimate. It has been equally as difficult to clean up the bJack in one as the white in the other (Buff Cochin strain). The feathered legs are equally as easily got rid of as the green or willow legs. In the R. I. Reds, the slaty undercolor offsets the light undercolor of the Cochin-made Buffs, and it strikes me ; that the Cochin-made Buffs come in for the size and color that has made the Buff Wyandotte and Plymouth Rock of the present time. I presume my experience and observation have been as extensive as any, and I feet like taking off my hat te Mr. Brackenbury,and giving him the credit he deserves in originating one of the best (if not the best) strains of Buff Wyandottes extant.” In another article (Poultry Monthly for February, 1899) Mr. Brackenbury tells how other strains of Buff Wyandottes were produced. W. H. Nicholoy crossed Golden Wyandottes that were quite free from lacing with Buff Cochins and White Wyandottes.. There are ac- counts of other strains, none of which go outside the breeds already mentioned, unless we except Chas. P. Pond, whose foundation blood went back to a stock of fowls of thirty years’ standing, originally from a Ham- burg-Cochin cross. Theoretically, the Golden Wyandotte had within itself all the requirements for the perfecting of the Buff variety, given the necessary patience to eradicate the black pigment and evolve its red equivalent. This point is suggested by the mention of Golden specimens in which the black lacing was lacking—suggestive ‘of re- version to the similar-colored fowls used by McKeen in de- veloping the Golden variety. These still retained the ob- jectionable slate undercolor, a short cut to extirpate which was a cross with the White variety. This was done by Mr. Drevenstedt, with immediate results, and this strain in the hands of James Forsythe was very successful, lacking however, the depth of color shown in other strains, the use of white properly requiring to be palanced by additional red, which the Buff Cochin blood effected. The earliest Buff Wyandottes established a vogue for a deeper tone of color than had been most approved in the Buff Cochin. The new Buff Leghorns, upon the 122 otker hand, by virtue of necessity, from their derivation, went to the light extreme; and presently the color fashion for Wyandottes followed the Leghorn’s habit, as presenting fewer immediate obstacles to a uniform color tone. This extreme also, as advancément in breeding permitted, in turn gave way to the permanent ideal of a true buff—a term which merits definition. Compre- hensive analysis resolves this coloration into two natural classes, the darker being a black-red, of which the Rhode Island Red exemplifies the extreme, and the lighter a modified pyle, whose white tendencies are the negation of black. A natural affinity between the pigments, most perceptible in the red (or buff) coloration, entails black in the degree that red is developed. Buff in its most approved phase constitutes that logical medium between its black-red and pyle manifestations in which neither a black nor a white tendency offers any serious obstacle to the exclusive production of red pigment. With due blending (distribution is the more comprehen- sive term, there being but one positive element under consideration) this degree of red development becomes buff—a discriminative term, as this color yields a dis- tinct sensation, in no way suggesting red. A practical trait of the Buff Wyandotte derived from its Cochin ancestry follows its superior density of plum- age. There is a constant relation between the color of THE WYANDOTTES feathers and their physical structure that has been little recognized, the buff, of all colorations, having the fullest feather development. From its general makeup, the Wyandotte race is especially adapted to open-air en- vironment, and of its varieties the Buff’s superior plum- age protection from cold betokens it the fowl of mani- fest destiny as a cold-weather layer. Another thing, the Cochin’s excessive feather development has of late years tended to obscure—and possibly to degenerate its use- ful qualities. But, in its derivation from the latter breed, the Buff Wyandotte is in direct line of descent from grand quality as a table fowl. A few years ago, the writer was asked by a marketman for the addresses of some breeders of Buff Cochins. A remonstrance upon his choice of breeds developed the fact that this man was familiar with the breeds, as he dressed fowls by the thousand each season. He wanted Buff Cochins to sup- ply an established discriminating trade; but to eke out a scant supply he proposed to produce some on his own account. There is no arguing upon practical qualities with a man who knows. It is a proper conception of a breed’s history to account for useful traits as well as pedigrees; and whatever their economic merits the Buff Wyandotte can boast a descent from a breed valued in its day no less for its egg-production than the excellence of its flesh. BUFF WYANDOTTES IN 1893 This is the first half-tone illustration of a pair of B poultry journals. It was reproduced froma wash Genes sented it to the editor of this book seventeen years ago. Th specimens at that period. yandottes that appeared in Ameri made by Franklane L, Sewell, siete: € picture gives the type seen in the best Mating Buff Wyandottes Mating Buff Varieties Discussed with Special Reference to the Wyandotte—Color Subordinate to Shape S. T. Bartlett HEN breeders are mating their pens, so many questions bearing on the proper mating of buffs come to hand that we deem it well to put some of the lessons learned by long ex- perience into the form of a printed article, that beginners especially may profit thereby. While the general principles announced are applicable to all buff varieties, we have used the Wyandottes as illustrating the points under considera- tion. The references to color in this article are likewise adaptable to all buff fowls; but the matter of shape must of course be determined according to the breed under consideration by the reader. At the outset, the question as to what constitutes buff will be asked. We will not undertake to settle this question, but while different judges have individual pre- ferences for the light or dark shades, all judges of re- pute unite in demanding one even shade from end to end of the specimen under inspection. “An even shade of rich golden buff,” as called for by the Standard, may be capable of different interpretations as far as the special shade of color is concerned, but it is capable of but one interpretation when the evenness is being studied. Select the Male First Now, in mating up a pen of birds for the best pos- sible results in their progeny, we always study the male bird first. Say that you have decided on using such and such a male as sire in such and such a pen. He is of course the best all-round bird you have, but he is not perfect. Do not magnify his strong points, but examine critically his weak ones. This is absolutely essential, for all mating is on the compensation plan. By that we mean that the weak points in the one sex must be made up by strength in these same sections in the other. In studying your male, examine him first by the require- ments of the Standard regarding shape, for it is shape that makes a breed. In the case of a Wyandotte male the most generally seen defects in shape are these: Too high on legs; too long on back; narrowness across the saddle, giving a pinched appearance to base of tail; wings carried too high; perhaps at an acute angle to the back thus pre- venting the graceful concave sweep to the tail that should mark the Wyandotte; unshapely comb; unsound lobes; light colored eye, etc. No one would think of using a bird having all these defects; but the great majority of male birds have some of them in greater or less degree. sections and lacking badly in others. This lack must be compensated for in the female. If he is high on legs, select for him females with practically no thighs visible and low on shanks; if he is narrow across the back, mate him to a hen with quite an apparent cushion. Aim at low set, blocky chickens, and bear in mind that if you mate two birds with the same shape defect you will only aggravate and increase that defect in a large percentage of their “get.” Color Subordinate to Shape Settle on your sire, then pick your female to suit him; not as is often done vice versa. Color considerations must me subordinated to those of shape if we are to breed approximately true to type. Too often anything that has had passable color has been preferred to other birds . A male may be splendid in shape of some. * pullets. more true to type, but of poorer color. The time is past for this to be perpetuated. Demand good, shapely birds, and the color must follow in time by selection and in- telligent and scientific breeding. Study the color defects in your sire as you did his weak shape points. Right here let it be understood that a male that is most nearly of one uniform shade all over, whether that be lemon or orange or any other tint you may call it, should be chosen rather than one that has as many different shades as he has sections in his anatomy. The most’ common color defects are: Red hackles; red saddles; light color across back; black in main tail and hidden sections of secondary wing feathers; white in wing flights; white in base of sickle feathers; white in undercolor of hackle or saddle or both. In our opinion, white is much harder to get rid of than black, and al- though the Standard says, “black or white is a serious defect and the one shall be considered as objectionable as the other,” we consider white much the worse of the two in a breeding male, unless it is an aged male. White should never be tolerated in a cockerel. But to get a bird absolutely sound in all sections, visible or hidden, is so far a practical impossibility. A few approximating absolute clearness -have been bred, but they are not for the multitude as yet. When, therefore, you have found the worst places in your male, select for him females that are strong where he is weak in color. Breed From a Few Choice Specimens If you mate a red-hackled male to a female with the same defect, what can you expect in the youngsters but still redder hackles? If you put two birds, each with poor colored eyes or shanks, together, there will be plenty of the same defects, only worse, in their young. A male with a dark tail should be put with a female with a clean tail. The same is true of the wings. Two poor birds will never produce one good one. Nature does not work that way. Improvements do not come by hap- hazard methods of breeding. If you have a well-shaped male that is perhaps weak in some points of color and you can compensate for his lack by good, strong colored females, use him in prefer- ence to a better colored but poorer shaped male. Say what men will to the contrary, our experience is that the male will transmit his general type to his offspring more markedly than the female. In general it is best to use a young male; but one that has passed his adult molt. A male coming two years old we believe, all things considered, to be the best. Golor Doubtful Until Maturity Until a buff bird has matured one cannot tell what he will be in the matter of color. Some elegant and promising cockerels are poor specimens as adult birds. A cock that has held his color through his molt as an adult is a valuable bird. As to the females it may be truthfully said that stronger chicks will result from yearling hens than from If, therefore, you must use a cockerel, mate’ him to females older than himself. If you have a good cock and well developed pullets, the risk in such a mat- ing is less than if cockerels and pullets are put together. We advocate strongly, small pens wherever possible. A trio of properly mated breeders will give more good chicks than a pen of ten mediocre specimens. Faults of Buff Wyandottes Dr. N. W. Sanborn BSERVATION, and handling, of Buff Wyandottes for fourteen years have made evident to me that the variety is not yet perfect. In fact, I find in the large shows many specimens off in certain sections. Unevenness in color in certain sections is very marked. Then there is too great a difference in shade of color of neck and breast. The color all over should be more alike. Under- color is much too light in most show females to be real buff and these light birds make indifferent breeders. I know of no better way to improve these sections than to breed together male and female that are nearer perfec- tion in these important points. Long shanks and long, straight packs, need breeding put if we would own stock that are Wyandotte in shape, we need to restrict our matings to those birds that answer our idea of shape. Better raise fifty chickens each year that will average fifty per cent show quality than two hundred chicks out of which we can only select fifty chicks fit to exhibit. It is quality—not quantity— that we must look to for future improvement in our Buff Wyandottes. Breeders have got to brace up to better and more thoughtful efforts if they are going to produce stock that is buff. The buff bird that is the result of hap- hazard matings may look well in the exhibition room but ‘is worth just market price in the breeding pen. There is need not only of fowl that are buff in every feather put birds that will throw full color in every feather. When fanciers wake up to the fact that there is a law in nature covering color—and apply it to Buff Wyan- dottes—they will make more headway in five years than since the variety was introduced. ' A man who would succeed with Buff Wyandottes to- day needs breeding pens made up of all-Buff stock, bred that way. It was not until I made up my stock pens of male and female that were free from black or white in every section that I got percentages of chicks that half satisfied me. When I could carry this to the extent that my breeders were the “buff blood”. kind I had the satis- faction of seeing more improvement in color than I thought possible. Under this method of breeding I find little trouble in mating birds of standard color. That is, show male and show female are just what I mate to produce more of the same quality. One male and two females of this sort are worth any number of the com- mon run of good looking buffs, to the fancier who would get pleasure and profit out of good Buff Wyandottes. Black and white in wing and tail have long been the serious defects in color. Wings have much improved the last few years but tails are still open to criticism when examined at the best winter shows. That chicks can be matured with solid color in every feather I have proved to my satisfaction the past year, and this season’s chicks seem to demonstrate that “like produces like.” “= oe oes Wo RR WINNER ‘1° PEN FOWL BOSTON 1909: » 23-°= FWiMVER SR4RO (K BOSTON-I908 187 COCK; WASHINGTON 1909 JS eOr' Ne DRNW SANBORN HOLDEN MASY OWNER *,, BREED! [BUFF WYANDOTTE. COCK, Sound in color; good neck, back and tail; lacks in fullness in breast and body. Be ER Single Mating of Buff Wyandottes We use single mating in breeding our best Buff Wyan- dottes for the reason, to make a long story short, that for instance we won first prize on cockerel at Madison Square Garden, New York, in 1907, the same bird as two year old cock bird won first at Boston in 1909. He sired the first and second prize open class cockerels, first and second prize pen cockerels, first, second, third and fourth prize pullets; first, sec- ond, third and fourth prize open class pullets; seven of the eight first and second prize pen pullets, and the competition was such that the birds that we defeated at Boston won all the first prizes at the Buff Wyandotte Cc. S. Mattison Club show at Washington. We do not, therefore, under- stand the necessity of breeding from two pens in order to get one pen’s results. We do not consider it as necessary to use the so- called double mating system as we do a system that is carefully developed along the same lines that have proven so satisfactory in developing other live stock. We have never heard of a double mating system to produce the extreme trotting horses, male or female, the dairy cow, or any of the many different varieties of birds of the air. We certainly have a system but it is not the so- called double mating system. Good Qualities of Buff Wyandottes True Buff in Color, with Curved Lines of Beauty—Unexcelled as a Utility Fowl L. CG. Piser HE Buff Wyandottes have now been bred long enough to be classed among the well established varieties of American origin. It is not my purpose to go into the history of the bird except to say that they originated from a cross and that the first results of that cross were anything but the ideal fowl that the makers of this new bird had in mind to produce. The writer of this article lays no claim to the honor of being the originator of the variety, but he certainly did enter the ranks very early in their history as one who sought to bring them up to their present state of excellence, and he entertains hopes that by scientific mating and careful and wise selection they may be placed on a still higher plane of excellence. Not many persons outside of a few of the veterans, (many of whom, I am glad to state, are still in the ranks), know anything of the labor and patience that have been expended upon this variety which from the start, appealed so strongly to their love of the beautiful in the poultry kingdom and to their idea of what should prove to be a fowl that combined such beauty of form and color with the great American essential, utility. I - believe it is fair to state that the “veterans” spoken of above were largely of the class who had the true fanciers’ temperament, that is to say the idea of the dol- lar was kept in the background and the beauty and util- ‘ity of the variety was their chief aim. For that reason the Buff Wyandottes have never had a boom and have never yet occupied the advanced position to which they are really entitled. And yet, notwithstanding the quiet way they have been handled by their friends, they do occupy a very prominent place in the poultry world to- day, and their popularity is increasing steadily all the time. At the Boston show 1908, they occupied third place, I believe, in the number of entries made in the open class, and the quality of the birds entered, with hardly an exception, was very high. It seems to me, the time has arrived when the merits of this beautiful and useful variety should be brought, with more force than has been done in the past, to the attention of those who are interested in fancy poultry in a general way and especially to that large army of re- cruits who every year are seeking the “best fowl” with which to make a start. To such I would unhesitatingly say, take up the Buff Wyandotte by all means. They will never disappoint you in any way. I say this after a long experience with them covering a period of over seventeen years. Their shape will certainly appeal to you always. “Straight is the line of duty, Curved is the line of beauty,” is an old saying and one with which every true artist will agree. This “eurved line” is to be found all over the Wyandotte. There is not, or should not be a single sharp angle to the form of a Wyandotte. Curves everywhere should be the rule. The Standard does not use the term of course, but read it carefully in regard to “shape” and you will discover that the entire description may be re- duced to the few words “curved lines everywhere.” The above applies to the whole Wyandotte family of ‘trouble. course, and has no especial application to the Buffs, but then comes the question of color, which to my mind is the deciding point in the Buff Wyandotte’s favor. When you clothe such a beautiful form as that of the Wyan- dotte with a perfectly even and unbroken color of a golden buff shade, you have something that will delight the eye whenever it rests upon this combination of form and color. And if you have the true fanciers’ tempera- ment, a feeling of keen pleasure will be yours at the mid- .night hour as you lie awake after a day spent in round- ing up your flock in the fall when you have found a few specimens that seem a little nearer the true shape and color than any you ever bred before and on which you can see in the dream that follows, the blue ribbons being placed at New York, Boston, Chicago, or any other large show at which you may expect to exhibit. Utility the Supreme Test Now as to the utility of the Buff Wyandotte. No breed has ever occupied a lasting place in the hearts of poultrymen unless it had something in the utility line to recommend it. I can recall several breeds that forged ahead rapidly for a few years and gave great promise for the future. But alas, they failed in egg or meat pro- duction, and they were soon sent back to the foot of the class, where they rightly belonged. Buff Wyandottes have been exceptionally good layers during the long time I have bred them if given proper care and feed, and they have laid especially well in the winter when eggs are right. Some prefer a non-sitting breed, as they give less My own trouble has been to get sitting hens enough to do the incubating I plan to do. They are never troublesome in this respect until very late in the summer, and then they are quickly broken up and they will continue laying even though they molt in some cases. When it comes to broilers and roasters, I am bold enough to say that they have few equals and no superi- ors. I believe they are slightly superior to any of the other varieties of the Wyandotte family. It seems to me they carry a little more flesh on the breast when very young and the color of the feathers, buff against a deep yellow skin, makes the dressing of the young birds very easy compared with the whites or blacks or the parti-colored fowl. The meat qualities hold good at any age. ; If you want a broiler even as small as one and one- half pounds, you will always get a good plump, meaty little body and breast, tender and juicy. In writing this article, in which I have endeavored to set forth some of the good qualities of the Buff Wyandottes, I have tried to be conservative and believe I have been. I could easily have worked myself to an enthusiastic pitch, a feeling every true Buff Wyandotte breeder has when discussing his favorite variety, but I have kept the brakes on all the time, for it is solid facts, not enthusiasm, in’ which the average reader finds satisfaction, especially if he happens to be one who is trying to make up his mind what breed he will select. - What is a Good Buff Wyandotte Line Breeding Necessary to Produce Superior Type and Buff Colo r—Value of Sound Undercolor Cc. F. Smithers HE Buff Wyandotte is a variety of the Wyan- dotte family that is gradually and surely forcing its way to the front without any special boom; relying entirely on its merits as a general purpose fowl and on its beauty. The progress toward perfection during the last few years has been nothing short of marvelous but it is the same with us— and breeders of the Buffs—as with the breeders of other varieties, and breeds. We have yet to produce the ideal specimen so why not make the ques- tion: What is a really good Buff Wyandotte? In reply to this question a great many different opinions have been expressed and it is probably true that each writer has his own good admirers place in our efforts, they are bound to be improved greatly. There is positively no excuse for any breeder having a flock of hollow, flat breasted birds, nor is there any excuse for those long legs that might give one the impression you were breeding Buff Games. Wyandotte type is distinctly its own, as are the head points; and a good comb is about the first thing noticed after shape is considered. Some strains are blessed with fairly good combs while many are not, and it needs care- ful consideration from those who are lacking in this point because if we are breeding Buff Wyandottes we want this comb. And now, so long as we have the Wyandotte, let us consider that part which gives us the variety—Buff Color. “Surface throughout an _ even reasons for his opinion either from personal study and common sense reasoning or perhaps it may have developed from lessons taken at different poultry shows while watch- ing the judges place the awards. It is a question that presents itself very forcibly when we are selecting those birds to meet our competitors before the judge, and either uphold the hon- ors or be set back as lacking in some important point or points. It is a question that again looms up when we are selecting our birds to breed chicks that are a step in advance of any thing we have yet produced. It is a question that requires careful, thoughtful study, one that we should master if we are to make the desired progress. Right here is the place to make one statement that may seem a little hollow to some, but I do not believe a really good specimen was ever bred without good blood lines back of it. A bird may be able to win in the show room and still have been indifferently or unintelligently produced, but in 99 cases out of every 100, this bird would not.make a breeder of high-class stock and, in my opinion, to be a choice bird, we must have a strong breeder and an exhibition specimen conibined. There was a time, not so very long ago, when we all went crazy on the question of color and one had a good chance to win the blue on what might be called color alone, but I am sure we are all glad that this is a thing of the past, and one of the best points for every breeder to remember is that, the Buff Wyandotte is no different in type and carriage than the ideals laid down for any of the other varieties, and until we get the Wyandotte type in our Buffs we are really not breeding the genuine Buff Wyandottes. That type is being bred today is evidenced by the fact that at many of the shows bringing out strong com- petition, you will find the Buffs averaging nearly as good in this respect as any other variety, but we want them much better and now that we are giving color second BUFF WYANDOTTE COCKEREL A stylish bird—fine in comb. head, back, tail breast and body, but a little too long in neck. shade of rich, golden buff, free from shafting or mealy appearance.” Much time has been devoted to this point and beautiful examples of color that very nearly approach per- fection may be seen in many dif- ferent yards but as is the case with all Buff fowls, we are constantly hearing something about, “what is the right shade of buff?” : Every breeder has formed his ideas of just what this shade should be and I believe a large majority would select the same shade if given’ a chance to select from five or six different shades, but this fact that the shade is to be “rich, golden buff,” is not all to take from the above quotation. Color must be “free from shafting or mealy appearance,” and must be “even,” and this means 4 great deal more than may appear on the surface. We must give up the idea that we are going to win out because we have the exact shade of surface color and select type, head points, even color from head to tail and undercolor. Of course if you are in a position to have the exact shade of color and the other points at the same time, those are just the birds to select, but it is usually harder than it seems. When you have the above you have a Buff Wyan- dotte. Perhaps the shade is not ideal but it is certainly much better than to have a Standard Buff and then be at a loss as to what name you are to call the breed. After spending so much valuable time on color it Seems strange why so many neglected undercolor. Every breeder needs this and you need it in every section. A mistake is being made if you stop when you have under- color in back and fluff, because you need it in hackle, breast and saddle just as badly as in any section. We certainly have one of the best and most beautiful varieties in existence and we want a great many more and every one of them a great deal better in quality, 80 ‘it stands us all in hand to cull very carefully, mate our breeding pens to improve our flock and place the ques tion of type as high as we have succeeded in placing color. CHAPTER XI Columbian Wyandottes Origin and History of the Development of the Latest Addition to the Wyandotte Family—Color Problems that Breeders Must Solve—Influence of Light Brahma Blood— Exhibited for the First Time in 1894 F. W. Proctor ROBABLY none of the Wyandotte family is more prominently before the public than the Columbian; and although this variety is now some eighteen years old, dating from the initial mating, so little stir had they made up to _half-a-dozen years ago that few breeders would have F enumerated them among the existing known varieties. The uncertainty attending the origin of most breeds is in this instance wanting. Mr. B. M. Briggs, at that time a resident of New York State, now engaged in the banking business at Woon- socket, R. I. brought the Calumbian to public notice in 1893, his beginning with fowls of this type dating to the spring of 1889, when he mated two pullets of an ac- cidental cross having Light Brahma plumage upon a strictly Wyandotte type of body, with the aim to propa- “gate a Wyandotte of this description. Mr. Briggs had crossed Barred Rocks with White Wyandottes, color types which could not be expected to produce the Columbian coloration except by rever- sion to color tendencies from the Brahma element in the Barred Rock. As to the pur- ity of Mr. Briggs’ stock of White Wyandottes, they were above question, having been derived from the Silver Laced Wyandottes, of which variety Mr. Briggs was one of the pioneer breeders, he having been the most prominent in introducing the White variety, among the several breeders concerned as originators. Mr. Briggs was born in 1854, at North Collins, N. Y. Reared on a farm, he took naturally to animals, es- pecially poultry. He fitted for the ministry, and it was as recreation during his professional career as a clergy- man that his breeding of poultry was carried on. After four years of work with the Columbians, Mr. Briggs publicly introduced them. The cut with descriptive article appeared in 1893 in several of the leading poul- try papers, which led to an extensive demand for stock. Nothing could be more authentic than facts direct from the originator, and from a personal letter received re- cently from Mr. Briggs I quote: : “I sold a large number of settings of eggs in 1893, B. M. BRIGGS shipping east and west, but sold no birds until 1894, when I sold to many breeders, a number of whom still breed the original strain. In December, 1894, I exhibited some birds at Providence, R. L, this being the first ex- hibition of the variety. I was awarded premiums at that show. At the Providence show I sold a male bird to J. W. Greene, the first male bird owned in Rhode Island. In January, 1895, I exhibited birds at Worcester, Mass., and February, 1895, four birds at Madison Square Garden; cock “Imperial,” hen “ fmpress,” cockere] “Dandy Jim,” pullet “Jennie.” Cash and ribbons were awarded these birds. “In May, 1895, I had two photos of “Dandy Jim and mates” taken and from one of these a half-tone cut was made and has since appeared in several papers, sometimes as my birds and sometimes as some other party’s birds. The other photo was never published but once. In 1896 I exhibited five birds at Bos- ton, Mass., and in’ Septem- ber of that year, sold my - stock to L. H. Davis, of New York. “In 1901, I again began to breed the Columbian Wyandottes from the orig- inal strain and have kept them pure and have this year had egg production averaging twenty-eight (28) ounces to the dozen. An- other early exhibitor of the variety was C. A. Sher- wood, who exhibited at Lincoln, Nebr., January, 1895, a trio raised from eggs from my pens, and he wrote ‘greatly admired by hun- dreds of people,’ and also reported, ‘pullets laying at five months.’ In 1895, I sold eggs to Mr. Fowler, of Con- necticut, and from _ this source in 1897, Mr. E. EB. McIntosh obtained his first Columbian Wyandottes. Mr. McIntosh claims that he later discarded the Briggs’ strain and by a cross of the White Wyandottes and Light Brahmas produced what he calls the ‘M. F.’ Strain.’ Several breeders have experimented with the Columbian Wyandottes and it is amusing to see how much they have been improved by every breeder who has owned them for a time, no matter how brief it might have been. “In all my breeding of the Columbian Wyandottes I have studied to produce the contour of the Wyandottes and the markings of the Light Brahmas, making the shape the first item. If we want the Wyandotte we must conform to the Wyandotte type.” Too strong an infusion of Light Brahma blood would have a tendency to destroy the Wyandotte type. “It has been said by a prominent breeder of this variety that fanciers did not take to them in the early — days of their history, but the facts are that fanciers did admire them and predicted a future, but many were not ready to take them up until ready to be admitted to standard, as they could see no money in them. “As to the early defects of the Columbian, these 128 were too light a color in hackle, and too dark in back. As to their useful traits, they are prolific layers, not in- clined to set early, and a fine table fowl.” The question of the derivation of the Columbian Wyandottes is an absorbing one from both its practical and fancy aspects. No one doubts its close relationship to the Light Brahma. So far as utility goes, nothing better might be asked of them than to repeat the use- ful traits of the Light Brahma as that breed was known of old, before English ideas began to dominate American breeders. The great excellence of the original Brahma seems to have been the result of a happy blending of two distinct races—the sluggish Asiatic and the vital Malay, the former furnishing the body, as we might say, the latter the soul. The old-time Brahma had an enviable reputation for all good characteristics; and if we can imagine this breed reduced in size, with clean shanks and feet and a rose comb, we have the chief specifications of the Columbian. Mr. Briggs did not claim to have interbred his early stock with Brahmas as a source of color. If he did not do so, others have, and the breed represents today a large proportion of Brahma blood. It seems to have been their practical excellence—a direct inheritance from the sturdy Brahma, we will say—that has been instrumental in their being brought prominently forward of' late, after languishing for a full decade in comparative obscurity. Their worst defects now are a matter of color, and are largely the result of faulty conception of the true status of Brahma color, and the fact that breeders did not stick closely to Brahma blood. The theory that a Columbian, heing largely of white color, is consequently to be evolved in part from White fowls is fallacious in the extreme. _ The Columbian (or Light Brahma) coloration is one not reached by the mixing of its color in the ordinary way—as by crossing fowls wearing its two tones of color, but is a duckwing. Like other duckwings it is naturally derived from its corresponding black-red, by the obliteration of color from the red areas, leaving white in such sections, the black remaining only where it constitutes the relief of red in its previous black-red state. The exploiting of a variety known as the Buff Brahma some years ago—a counterpart of the Light variety as to its black points, and originating as a di- rect sport from the Brahma, first suggested to my mind the natural derivation of the “Light” type of color. The THE WYANDOTTES Rhode Island Red has only to have the red expunged from its plumage to take on the Columbian’s color. A word about the origination of the new strains of Columbians. Doubtless there are thousands at work to- day upon the problem of improving this variety’s color, most of which are allowing false theory to lead them far astray. Some five years ago a veteran breeder of Light Brahmas offered to sell a lot of chickens of a Light Brahma-White Wyandotte cross. Knowing that only some promising project could decoy this man from his old-time favorites, I looked him up, expecting to see some Columbians; but the reality was this: about a hundred of the measliest yellow scrubs that could be imagined from a cross of thoroughbreds. Now this is what had happened. The no-black tendencies of the White Wyandotte had prevailed, also the inherent red tendencies from the Light Brahma’s antecedents. And the tawny chickens that resulted were the logical ex- pectation if the breeder had given correct theory a place in his plans. The White Wyandotte, or any other white fowl, has no proper place in the makeup of the Columbian, entailing weakness in black sections and thus disturbing color at the very point where Brahma breeders must work with care to keep color, even with stock carefully bred for half a century. The Sussex fowl of England seems to exemplify the natural deriva- tion of Columbian coloration, both the “Light” and Red types, presumably from common sources, being repre- sented in that breed; either of which should make prom- ising blood for experiments in breeding Columbians. The Rose Comb Rhode Island Red and the Light Brahma when interbred and careful selection followed for a few years should furnish all the requisites of color. The “Light” coloration is not only derivable from the Red, but also demands a rudimentary trace of red in the plumage as a means of retaining black—just as in the Red coloration black is found essential to encourage the fullest development of red. We may ascribe this to pig- mentary affinity arising in the distinct chemical natures of the two pigments. By the time the last vestige of red has left the plumage a general disturbance of color deposition has set in, and the “Light” coloration de- generates, f a fe ett ee Wyandotte is’ prescribed Brahma, the sin . ee ae ance ee eeu as ao e exception being that “black preva- eathers in back of female”—a disqualifi- ORIGINAL PEN OF COLUMBIAN WYANDOTTES Produced by B. M, Briggs, 1893 THE WYANDOTTES cation with the Light Brahma—constitutes in this variety “a serious defect,” but not a disqualification. =e WINNER OF FIRST COCKEREL BOSTON: 1909 BRED OWNED 4np EXHIBITED BY’ WINNER OF FIRST COCKEREL, BOSTON, 1909 A remarkably strong specimen in type and color; head, comb, neck and back being well developed; lacks a little in depth of body; legs of good length, well spread; fine hackle striping and good lacing of tail coverts. This darker color of the female’s back is not confined to this breed or variety, but is a radical peculiarity of * female color. In the case of the Light Brahma, its pre- vious coloration having been one in which prevailing red _WINNER OF FIRST HEN NEW YORK,)99&8S| J -P-KEATING. WESTBORO MASS. WINNER OF FIRST HEN, NEW YORK, 1908-'09 A neat shapely hen, showing good comb and head points, well arched neck, full and deep breast, good rounded body, thighs rather loose in feathering, back good in length, but too straight, tail very nicely spread with beautifully laced tail coverts, hackle strongly striped. had driven all black deposition from the web of the feather in this section, the black tendency is readily 129 confined to the undercolor, leaving surface white. And here is where injudicious breeding has left its imprint on the Columbian; the natural influence of Barred Rock or Silver Wyandotte blood being to restore black de- posit upon the surface of the female’s back. The remedy for this defect suggests itself: Let the Columbian’s ex- traction be exclusively from breeds having black points and a clear color to female’s back as regards black de- posit upon surface. A gray undercolor in both the Columbian and Red colorations is a natural feature and should be bred for, both as a means of keeping the sur- face clear and to preserve the balance of pigmentary ee -DrO-J-ANDRUSS CANANDAIGUA. | «3» OWNER AND BREEDER ’, A NEW YORK WINNER, 1909-10 we r A beautiful hen in color of neck and tail, the striping in former and lacing of tail coverts in latter being nearly perfect in their mark- ings. Wings soundincolor. Alsop a nice bird in type, being finely drawn in nearly every section except back, which lacks convex lines. development and thus allow-a sufficiency of color in the black sections of neck, wings and tail. The paths by which a fowl resembling a Columbian may be reached are many, but we must not regard such by-products as the hand of Nature pointing to the source of these color waifs as the direct route to reach this seemingly simple but really intricate color type. The breeder will succeed best in the long run who concedes theory—which is applied science—a place in his breed- ing plans. I have yet to see a man eminently successful in the line of breeding who did not bring to his work indefatigable study of the methods by which results are reached. Indeed, this is the most alluring phase of the poultry fancier’s art—its opportunities for the cultiva- tion of intelligence. We must not get into the way of thinking that the dollar and the ribbon end it all. This larger phase survives after the fortune is dispersed and its owner forgotten. Defects of Columbian Wyandottes Faulty Striping in HackJe and Brassiness of the Backs of Males Chief Defects—Long and Pinched Uacks Serious Faults—How to Remedy Defects Charles D. Cleveland @HeHSsisN MY observation of show birds of this . + variety I find that when compared with “ the perfection attained in the Light Brahma, the Columbian Wyandotte falls short of the ideal in every section. Proper division of the color in the hackle of the males is perhaps the most noticeable de- fect, and even the best specimens, both male and fe- male, are lacking in that clear-cut division into black and white so beautiful in the Brahma. In most heavily marked males the hackle where abundant has a _ ten- dency to flow over the back; the cdpe is much enlarged and the marking extends over the back to a greater or less degree—generally depending upon the intensity of the hackle and the character of the undercolor of the body. While it may be true that birds without undercolor or with very light undercolor do not make the best COLUMBIAN WYANDOTTE PULLET Bred and owned by Fred Styers, Greensburg. Ind., showing sound black striping in hackle feathers, good lacing of tail coverts and perfect wing flights, conforming to the 1910 Standard, breeders, we must in the end get our breeding down so fine that the undercolor will be “white or bluish white” in females, and “bluish white or slate” in males. The worst defect at present, then, is in hackle; we mist get to a “glossy black stripe extending down the middle of each feather” and yet have the rest of the feather clear, clean, pure white. The most prevalent defect in the best birds in shape and profile is the length and breadth of back. One sees little of the full broad saddle, rising with concave sweep to tail; long, flat, pinched backs are the rule. I have observed very few birds of this variety with any- thing like ideal shape in this respect. The only method of avoiding this defect in back and also an excessive length of leg, very common, is to breed from the best shaped specimens obtainable. Get females with good shape, short in the shanks, and a nice medium Wyandotte cushion, and mate them to a male with as broad a back as possible, and try to get some curve into it too—such birds are hard to get, but we must remember that shape makes the breed. Too much stress has been laid on color, I believe. Perhaps the most glaring defect of color is in the brassiness of the upper sections of the male; this is better observed in the breeders’ yards than in the show room, for most of the exhibition birds have probably been moulted out in the dark or in shade. This imperfection in color is apparent to all and I have noticed that even the most callow novice remarks upon it. It comes, of course, from the close relation of black on white and black with white; the one runs into the other to such a degree as to produce a yellow or “brassy” appearance and is most unsightly. We must remember, however, that the good old Light Brahma had the same fault in the early stages of its breeding and that it took a great many generations to breed it out. The cure is to breed from males with clean white surface color and here again such specimens are hard to find. I have seen such birds in the latter part of July after they had been freely exposed to the summer sun and none showed any trace of real brassiness. In this connection remember that the females bred from a brassy male have the brass, although they do not show it; do not breed from them if you can help it. To get clean, clear hackles, which are really black and white, is every breeder’s aim; they are, as yet, comparatively scarce, but I am convinced that if the fanciers will mate together birds which have rather a wide margin of pure white around the end of each hackle feather—too wide a margin perhaps—he will have better success in avoiding the smutty, uneven and ragged hackles now so often seen. The Columbian is a splendid bird, well worthy of any fancier’s attention—hardy, prolific, hard to breed true to color, and a beauty. Mating Columbian Wyandottes Single and Double Matings Used—Best Types of Males and Females for Breeding August D. Arnold O WE practice double mating? At the stage we find the Columbian Wyandotte today, it may be well to use double mat- ing in some cases, but in a very short time, the object of double mating will not need to be resorted to. At this time the males as a rule are not strong in hackle, while the females are, and we are inclined to believe that in the crosses resorted to in making the variety, there was a White Wyandotte male used on the one hand and a Light Brahma female on the other. Hence, we notice that the males are weak in black points, while the females are rather strong. It is well, in some cases, to use the double mating system, but the males are coming on so fast in hackles that in a very short time single matings will be used entirely. For a cockerel breeder use a male as strong in wing, tail and hackle as possible with dark under-color, and if some dark was found on breast, back and thighs, so much the better. Such a male should be used one season and the progeny bred to medium color the next season. Shape is important and should have much attention from this time on. Mate such a male to females with fairly strong hackle, tail and wings, but no strong under-color and no female that shows black in back or breast should be used with such a male, or the chicks will come too dark. To breed pullets use a male as near standard color as possible, not too strong in under-color, clean in back . and breast with as good wing as possible, hackle clearly laced and not too dark. Females to such a male should be rather strong in hackle, wings and tail, yet not so strong that under- color will come too near the surface, or too large a percentage of chicks will be too dark for show birds. Where single mating is followed use a male that comes up to the standard requirements as nearly as pos- sible, with good size, well laced and developed hackle, flowing well over the shoulders, and if possible, meeting at the throat; the black intense black, and the white as white as can be. With such a male use females in color as near the color of the male as possible. Then if like produces like, we will have the color in chicks we want. In all these matings, Wyandotte type comes in strong tor our atten- tion. The most important point we are now working for, since we have color pretty well in hand, is shape. This ' is of much importance. really not a Wyandotte, yet not too much must be ex- pected along these lines for a few years. Since the color A Columbian without shape is. comes from the Light Brahma, we will find that the best specimens in color have more of a Brahma shape than that of a Wyandotte, so the breeder and the buyer must be a little patient fér a few years and not look for too much in Wyandotte shape. Do not get away from Light Brahma color and shape too suddenly or there will be trouble. Color of eye is another point to look after. So many Columbian Wyandottes are off in that point. We also want broader heads, but when we get good Wyan- dotte shape, the heads will come all right. Strive for the intense black and pure white, and do not be afraid to breed dark birds for a few years yet. COLUMBIAN WYANDOTTE COCKEREL One of Mr. Arnold’s best males, being especially fine in color markings of hackle, wings and taii. The illustration was made from a photograph which pictures the cockerel just as he posed be- fore the camera. Columbian Wyandottes in England The Standard as Adopted by the English Columbian Wyandotte Club — Interesting and Instructive Report of the Prize-Winners at the Crystal Palace (England) Show F. L. Sewell ROM what I saw in the best English poultry shows of 1905 it was quite evident that last year’s winners at Madison Square Garden, N. Y., were far ahead of any birds that were exhibited in England. It is to be regretted, then, that the best American stock was not seen at this winter’s leading English exhibition. There has been gen- uine progress made in the Columbians in America—both as to size and color. It is evident from the interest taken on both sides of the Atlantic that the international race to determine which country will produce the highest-quality Colum- bian Wyandottes is certain to prove interesting. The breeders who win the laurels must breed the very best of quality into their strains—both for fancy show points and for practical worth. I take pleasure in inserting herewith for the infor- mation of the American breeders of Columbian Wyan- dottes, the standard for this breed as drawn up by the Columbian Wyandotte Club at the Crystal Palace show. Columbian Wyandotte Standard The requirements of the different sections, the scale of points, and the disqualifications as issued by the club are as follows: Color in Both Sexes.—Beak, yellow or horn colored; eye brighi bay; comb, face, ear-lobes and wattles, bright red; legs and feet, yellow or orange yellow. Cock.—Head, silvery white; neck hackle, silvery white, with a distinct black stripe down the center of each feather, but the hackles to be free from a black outer edging and black tips; saddle hackle, silvery white; tail coverts, glossy green-black, either laced or not with white; tail feathers, glossy green-black; primaries, black or black edged with white; secondaries, black on the inner edge and white on the outer; rest of body, pearly white, entirely free from ticking, the under-color being either slate, bluish-white or white. Hen.—Head, silvery white; hackle, bright intense black feathers, entirely surrounded with a silvery white margin; tail feathers, black, except the top pair, which may or may not be laced with white; primaries, black or black edged with white; secondaries, black on the inner edge and white on the outer; rest of plumage, pearly white, entirely free from ticking, the under color being either slate, bluish-white, or white. Disqualifications—Wry tail, deformed back, crooked bill and feather on leg. Columbians at the Crystal Palace (England) Show I received an interesting letter a short time ago from Mr. Armstrong, the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of the English Columbian Wyandotte Club, in reference to the Columbian class in the Crystal Palace show and will include a portion of this letter: “The Columbian classes at the Crystal Palace of which there were four—cock, hen, cockerel and pullet— were splendid and the quality right through was remark- abla Iam sure that if you had been here to see the birds you would have remarked upon the wonderful im- provement in size, type, color and striping since last year. The American birds failed dreadfully in color and were in every instance very sappy and the striping any- thing but distinct. Many of the English birds were as white as a good White Wyandotte, and in size the win- ning pullets and hens were larger than most of the White and Partridge Wyandottes exhibited. The cock- erels were fair except the first three and these stood well out from the rest both in purity of body, color and striping. “The following is a critical report on the individual prize winners which I made at the Palace and which is the criticism, of many leading exhibitors. You may therefore, take it not only as my report, but as the re- port of the leading fanciers: “Cocks. Ist Wright: Good size and type; fair stripe; fails on wing and poor in body color. 2d Armstrong: Smaller, good type; fails stripe, but slightly better in body color. 3rd Armstrong: Comb, large; fair color; fails head and stripe; bad legs. “Hens. ist Wright: Splendid size; fails in hackle striping, but very pure in body color. 2nd Armstrong: The best hackled female in the show, spoiled by ticking on saddle and feather on legs. 3rd Orr: Very poor body color and fails neck striping. “Cockerels. 1st Wright: Rare size and color; poor legs; fails in stripe. 2nd Armstrong: Undoubtedly the best bird in the class; very distinct stripe; sound body color and grand legs and head. 3rd Marshall: Lovely type and size; fair body color and good stripe. “Pullets. 1st and 2nd Wright: 1st a grand pullet; very large; rare, type and body color, still might be more distinct in hackle. 3rd Buckland: Splendid size and type; a little sappy and might be more distinct in hackle. “It appears to me that in America you do not con- sider body color as we do in England. We must see a perfectly snow-white color without a trace of sappiness and however good a bird may be in other respects, un- less it has a dead-white color it stands a very small chance of winning.” Scale of Points Coarse or Brahma head, deduct up to.... 3 Defective comb, deduct up to............. 5 Ear-lobes and wattles, deduct up to....... 4 Pale legs, deduct up to..............e.ceee 5 Scanty hackle, deduct Up? “UO s teased ss se 4 Primaries out of order, deduct up to..... 4 Defects in tail, deduct up to.............. 5 Want of size and condition, deduct up to.. 15 Want of type or shape, deduct up to.... 10 Impure body color, deduct up to.......... 25 A perfect bird to count............... 100 Standard Requirements of Columbian Wyandottes Breeding from Males and Females with Standard Colored Hackles and Slate Under Color Produces Best Results — Importance of Selecting Deep Breasted Birds of Blocky Type as Breeders A. C. Hawkins HE widespread popularity of the Columbian Wyandottes at the present time has come partly from inheritance and partly from its many practical qualities. Its color re- semblance to the once popular Light Brahma has given it a warm spot in the hearts of the old breeders of that variety. Aside from their attractive color the Columbians have qualities that recommend them as a utility fowl for the market poultryman. They are hardy and are prolific layers at all seasons. They make quick maturing broilers and have plenty of size and quality as roasters. They have improved rapidly in breeding qual- ities since they have been taken up by the older breeders, and it will not be long before the breed will average as even in type and color as the Light Brahma. By a careful observation of the exhibits of Colum- bians at the largest shows I find the most serious de- fects to be lack of type, and brassiness in the males. Even the older breeders of the variety ‘who made ex- hibits at New York and Boston last season showed no .males that were free from brassy color. The only way this serious defect can be overcome is to breed only males with clean white surface color. Select breeding birds of the deep-breasted, blocky type with medium -low tails and this type will reproduce itself in the pro- geny. : The Standard color of hackles in both male and fe- male will produce the best results. Do not be afraid of the slate undercolor in both sexes, as the.most perfect . hackles, wings and tails are found in the birds with slate undercolor. The most difficult section to perfect Three good and three defective Columbian hackle feathers, The first two on the left are from a male, the result of an experimental cross of Silver Penciled Wyandotte cock with Light Brahma pullet; ‘the third is from a pure Columbian. The fourth and fifth are from a pure Columbian cockerel showing ‘‘smutty” ends, a defect that all Columbian Wyandotte fanciers strive to avoid. in the female is the wing flights, as nearly all of them show too much white. This will be overcome in time by careful selection but I do not consider these undercolor defects as serious as those in sight and would recom- mend that judges should consider them of less import- Five defective feathers from a Columbian Wyandotte cockerel. First, two saddle feathers next to tail should be distinctly striped through center to nearly the extreme point, the same width of color on both sides of quill; third, a tail covert badly broken in color showing a tendency to penciling in the black center (see the third and fifth tail ‘covert feathers on page 134, for well colored covert); fourth and fifth, two defectively colored lesser sickles, fourth is white only at base while fifth is white at the base and the white breaks into black about half way from the base tothe tip. These last two feathers should be solid greenish black. : ance in placing the awards. Those birds that have the best Wyandotte type and surface color, with good legs and head points, should be placed above those with more perfect undercolor and defective surface. The fact that the Columbians are a cross between the White Wyandottes and Light Brahma would lead one to expect that the legs would show some stubs of feathers, but by carefully selecting only clean-legged birds for breeders this defect has been overcome to a great extent, and in the hands of experienced breeders will entirely disappear. The beauty of plumage and many practical qualities ‘of the Columbians will increase their popularity, until they take a very high position among the American varieties. . 134 THE WYANDOTTES From specimens of Columbian Wyandotte feathers, furnished by H.G. Fish, First feather to left a right flight, from ‘first prize cock at Cleveland, 1908; next, group of female hackle feathers; center, two tail coverts, from first prize cockerel, at Strongville, Ohio; next, two hackle feathers. from same cockerel. and last on right, flight trom left wing, also from same cockerel. Three wing secondaries; one good, two faulty. The first to left, taken from right wing is a good clear colored specimen; the second, from a left wing has very much too large a Proportion of white for a normal colored Columbian Wyandotte wing, the white on the lower or tight side of this quill reaching into the quill proper, in quite a space— the quill of the Columbian wing should be black. The severe criticisms on the third specimen besides that it has far too much white, is that the white largely takes possession toward the root of the feather. Tail coverts from a cockerel produced by experimental crosses (by F. L. Sewell) as follows: First cross, a Silver Penciled Wyandotte male, from an exhibition male producing line, was mated to a Light Brahma pullet. Three females thus et ee were mated the following year to a pure Columbian Wyandotte cockerel, bred by Dr. C. J. Andruss, giving several females and a few cockerels that proved the desirability of the experiment. Three primary feathers from left wing, showi i » Showing defective color, taken from a pure Columbian Wyandotte rOCkerel ne PARTRIDGE WYANDOTTES From a painting by Franklane L. Sewell of a owned and bred by the late pair of Partridge Wyandottes Ezra Cornell CHAPTER XII Partridge and Penciled Wyandottes Origin aud History of the Western and Eastern Strains of Partridge Wyandottes—Partridge Cochins and Dark Brahmas the Color Patterns for Partridge and Penciled Varieties—English and American Feather Specimens Illustrated by Franklane L. Sewell EGARDING the history of the derivation of the color pattern from the older breeds, the Partridge Cochins and Dark Brahmas, that antedated the Partridge and Silver Penciled Wyandottes, F. W. Proctor, who made a special study of this subject arrives at the following conclusions: The history of a variety properly includes the derivation of its color pattern; and as the plumage habit of these closely related varieties antedates any modern varieties of the type, it is first in order to trace the origin of this description of feather. From the lack of a word whose sense would comprehend this type of plumage, the name Partridge was adopted from their manifest similarity in color to that wild race. In the ease of the Dark Brahma—whose pattern is identical, substituting gray tones for brown—to meet a like dif- vficulty the name “penciling” was adopted, which has the disadvantage of transgressing upon the Hamburg’s prior rights in this name to describe a totally different pattern. The Standard’s Glossary makes use of “cres- centic” to signify this pattern—a term that better de- scribes certain defective feathers of the Laced variety. If we should conceive this pattern as a repeated or multiple lacing, we would have a self-explaining expres- sion—the phrase double-laced applying to the Cornish Indian, and triple-laced to these varieties of Wyandottes as well as the Asiatic they copy in plumage. This repeated lacing, far from being strictly an arti- ficial pattern, develops spontaneonsly in the natural state and finds endless repetition among the wild races. Certain wild ducks which were the forerunners of our domesticated Rouens possess this feature. But we are chiefly concerned to know of its earliest recorded ap- pearance in our gallinaceous fowls. Bement describes and illustrates some fowls imported to England from Ceylon in 1852, and exhibited at Bristol in December of that year: “They attracted on this occasion consider- able attention, and were justly considered among the most beautiful specimens that were ever brought to- gether. * * * There appear to be two distinct varieties of color—the one light, the other dark; the former of these has a general resemblance to the body color of the Silver Penciled Hamburgs, but on close inspection the markings of the feathers are found to differ materially, not only from the plumage of these birds, but likewise from that of any domestic fowl that I have yet seen.” The edge of the feather is margined or laced with white all round to the width of about one-eighth of an inch, then comes a brownish-black inner line of about the same thickness, then one of white, while the center of the feather is of the same dark hue, the shaft or stem being of a very clear white. Nothing, I can assure you, can be more beautiful or distinct than the plumage of this hen. The cock does not manifest the same minuteness of marking, but nevertheless he bears quite as much similitude to the hen as will be found to exist in the Shanghais, Games, Dorkings and Hamburgs. The dark variety differs in color only, the hen being a light brown with dark markings, the cock is a light red with markings of black. The succeeding description is of a fowl Cochiny in gen- eral character; “legs very short; shanks yellow and free ‘of feathers; wings and tail very short, the latter carried almost horizontally; thighs fluffy; and in general its figure very compact and squarely built.” Here we have an early forerunner of our Partridges and Silver Pencils. And who shall say that the birds of this early importation from’Ceylon may not have been lineal ancestors of modern stocks of fowls of similar pattern? The existence in these oriental countries of a breed whose plumage follows this scheme of repeated lacings implies either that natural selection unaided, in the gallinaceous as in other races, may work out in an admirable degree of perfection this apparently complex coloration; or else that the fancying instinct is not the strictly modern cult we are accustomed to imagine it. Indeed, there is of material a plenty to back up an argument that our modern breeding of fowls to feather is but a renascent state of a former favorite pursuit of men. There is certainly a cause why feathers follow cer- tain pattern designs, which may sometime be explained more conclusively than by speculative method; but it is interesting to trace theoretically the process by which nature arrives at the several patterns of color de- position. For instance, the physical arrangement of the barred pattern suggests an origin in successive pulls towards the color extremes of progenitors, the width of bars representing the period of feather growth dur- ing each alternating influence. The barred coloration is one naturally evolved only when black is the sole de- posited color. When black and red are both active in the plumage there is a natural determination of each pigment to a certain portion of the feather (as well as to certain sections of the body) the undercolor being exclusively of black, with red as surface modification, with a tendency to follow outline of feather in some sections, as in the hackle. The barred plumage having become a fixed habit, a cross with the black-red sug- gests itself as a possible predisposing cause of the multiple laced pattern, the natural limit of the feather’s width determining the number of bands of color. The natural conclusion, based upon general resem- blance, that the Partridge and Silver Wyandottes are directly derived from the older Asiatics whose colora- tion they repeat is borne out by fact, as shown by the history of those two varieties. Origin and History of the Western Strain An Interesting History of the Experiments Made by Two Fanciers in Originating the Partridge Wyandottes E. O. Thiem T IS mainly the pleasure which attends this pursuit that has served me as an incentive during a lony lifetime spent among fowls. I have been breeding a “full blood” poultry, as it was called in the early day, ever since 1850, the first twenty years of this period having been spent in Germany. In all these years I have seen much improvement in breeds, the most notable one being represented by our American class. The Shanghais, Cochins and Brahmas were the popular fowls in my younger days; and one of the oldest that I recollect was known as the Jungle Fowl, which had the color and brillianecy of the modern - This fact often comes to the surface, important Cornish-Indian. as the latter breed constituted a most element in our western strain of the Partridge Wyandotte. Up to the time when the Wyan- dotte exclusively absorbed my at- tention I had distributed my efforts among many breeds, much effort having been directed to experi- ments with a view to the produc- tion of a successful new type of fowls. Besides many recognized varieties of those times I had bred Creepers, Golden Spangled Cochins, Mohawks, Rose Comb Partridge Leghorns and Winnebagoes. Im- bued with « common purpose to im- prove the unwieldy Asiatics into an erts and tail. In 1890 I bred a male of the Golden Wyan- dotte cross to the females of the other crosses and later in the season mated to the cross-bred females, the old Coehin male. At the same time I bred Partridge Cochin hens to a Golden Wyandotte male. Mr. McKeen used Partridge Cochin hens with Winnebago and Golden Wyandotte males. These constituted the original crosses, and {rom that time on we exchanged birds, aiming to retain as large a proportion of Cochin blood as possible and still work for clean shanks. Speaking from our experience, the originating of new types is not accomplished without endless labor. If it is a question of a new breed, years of experiment are necessary before such can be successfully evolved out of the chaos that naturally follows the mixing of dissimilar breeds. Even the making of a new variety —substituting one color for an- other, while retaining the breed’s characteristics—if accomplished as in this instance by the whole- sale mixing of breeds, is so serious * a task that none should enter upon it without feeling assured that there is an opening for such_ a production. The growing favor that this breed receives shows that the making of the Partridge Wyandotte was well advised. Its color has been greatly admired acceptable type, Mr. Joseph Mc- in the Cochin, but the outs of Keen, of Ormo, Wis., and myself that breed discouraged all but a had been experimenting for some handful of breeders. The best years, unknown to each other. penciling refused to appear When the earliest published ac- | Or HtEe upon the specimens with the counts of Mr. McKeen’s Golden Wy- fullest plumage, and the _ best andottes came to my attention in 1882, I opened correspondence with him and secured some of his stock. In 1885 I visited him at his home and we arranged to cooperate as breeders, and jointly experiment with a Partridge Cochin cross, this being originally intended as a source of improvement for the Goldens. As a result of a second visit in 1888 a course of breeding to produce a Partridge Wyandotte was planned, and on this occasion 1 took home as a gift from Mr. McKeen, a Winnebago hen. The history of this breed is familiar as one of the fountain crosses in the origin of the Golden variety, and these greatly re- sembled the present day Rhode Island Reds. The following spring (1889) I mated this Winnebago hen, also two others, a Cornish Indian and a Golden Wyandotte, to a Pea-Comb Partridge Cochin male. The Golden Wyandotte cross had feathered legs and good necks, about one-half having rose-combs. The Cornish- Indian cross excelled the others in size, were very dark, especially in the neck, but cleanly striped, and had yel- low legs. The Winnebago cross was the, finest of all with a beautiful penciling upon the females, the males having a rich lustre upon the black of breast, wing-cov- marked females would so often be those too small to be typical Asiatics. The substi- tution of a Wyandotte type of body removed these ob- jections. This Western strain of the Partridges, of which Mr. McKeen and I were, exclusively, the originators, was of dissimilar makeup from the eastern stock of the breed worked up by Messrs. Brackenbury and Sarr. If their strain contained no Cornish Indian blood, of which no mention is made, it assuredly missed a quality, to which I attribute in our own stock, much practical value. Upon the other hand, the presence of Hamburg blood which they avow as one of their crosses was an unfavorable element considering the breed’s perfection along its recognized lines of excellence. The first men- tion of Partridge Wyandottes in the public press was in the Poultry Monthly for October, 1894; an article signed by Joseph McKeen referring to the fact that he and my- self had worked together for a number of years in their production. Partridges were first publicly shown in December, 1894, at the Midcontinental Show in Kansas City. An unofficial standard for this variety was put in print in 1896. In the same year our earliest efforts for : THE WYANDOTTES their admission to the Standard were baffled by the op- position that developed in the East, a controversy hay- ing arisen over the choice of a name. Mr. Brackenbury was desirous that the needs of his new production with similar markings should be considered and that the names Golden and Silver Penciled should be adopted. 137 Our choice of name finally prevailed and as Partridge Wyandotte, they were admitted to the Standard in 1901. After Mr. McKeen’s death in 1896, I purchased a part of his stock, the rest of the flock going into the hands of W. A. Doolittle. In recent years we have associated as breeders. , The Brackenbury-Sarr Strain Grosses Used by Eastern Breeders to Produce Golden Penciled Wyandottes—Now Recognized as Partridge Wyandottes and Amalgamated with the Western Strain F. W. Proctor URING the years that Thiem and McKeen had been evolving their western strain, Mr. Brackenbury of New York State, with similar foresight as to the needs of future fanciers, had been working out the same problem. In the Poultry Monthly for August, 1891, in an article which de- tailed the origin of the Buff-Laced and Violette varie- ties, Mr. Brackenbury also told of experimental breed- ing which looked to the making of a Partridge Wyan- dotte. “A Golden Wyandotte male of Daggett strain, which produced a few pullets with inner lacing or pen- ciling similar to a Partridge Cochin we bred back on his own pullet. We also have just produced two hens, one- half Golden Wyandotte and one-half Pea-Comb Part- ridge Cochin, penciled on wing and breast, with a few webless feathers peeping from beneath the scales on legs. These we have mated to the Daggett Golden Wyandotte cock and expect to bring out something pe- euliar in the way of marking, and will if they turn out well, give description of the chicks in the fall.” In a later contribution to the same paper, Mr. Brackenbury specified this first pullet of Partridge markings to have been produced from a Pea-Comb Partridge Cochin hen; and the cross had looked to the working up of a strain of the Golden Laced variety. Of this pullet he said: “She had a rose comb and almost clean yellow legs. This pullet was the starting point of the strain of Golden Penciled Wyandottes (Part- ridge) that we have originated. Immediately following Mr. MecKeen’s published account of Partridge Wyan- dottes, Mr. Brackenbury called attention to his own work in that line (Poultry Monthly, November, 1894). Mr. Brackenbury said: ‘We continued to experiment during the years 1891 and 1892. In the latter we intro- duced new blood from a pure breed of fowls, to break up and weaken the strong tendency to revert back to the-lacing of the Golden Wyandotte; the result of which mating furnished a foundation of the shape and size re- quired, when again mated both ways to Partridge Cochins to produce a typical Wyandotte shape.” This source of the “new blood from a pure breed of fowls,” as told by Mr. Cornell some years later, then associated with Mr. Brackenbury, was the Golden Pen- ciled Hamburg. “The result of this cross was then mated to Partridge Cochins both ways, that is, a Ham- burg-Wyandotte-Cochin cross male was mated to two grand Partridge Cochin females, and three or four of the best Hamburg-Wyandotte-Cochin cross females were bred to a pullet-breeding Partridge Cochin male.” The details of succeeding matings of this stock are uninter- esting, the account going on to state that after a few years of selection and breeding from only a few of the very best specimens, Partridge Cochin blood was again introduced through “the best Partridge Cochin hen Byron D. Sarr ever produced.” * « * “This Partridge Cochin hen and her full sister were used in our second infusion of Partridge Cochin blood, and again in our third and last infusion of Partridge Cochin blood. Each succeeding year we are breeding back to one hen, now three years old, of Golden Penciled Wyandotte—Part- ridge Cochin blood, resulting from the third infusion of Partridge Cochin blood; and the blood of this hen is making itself felt or seen in my entire strain of Golden Penciled (Partridge) Wyandottes.” From the foregoing accounts of the origin of these two distinct strains, it is apparent that they differed essentially in their component blood: The weil-known prolificacy of the Hamburg should have given the Eastern strain the advantage in laying powers; and up- on the other hand the Cornish Indian’s renowned meat- producing qualities should have given the Western strain an equal advantage in this line. But in the shuffle of continued crosses, in which the former strain became largely Cochin and the latter’s Cornish Indian blood became much diffused, and the Golden Wyandotte and Partridge predominant, the two strains largely lost their distinctness as to inherent qualities. The late 1. E. Orr, to whose efforts the Wyandotte owed much, wrote in 1904: “There is still a difference in both the shape and plumage of the two strains, when bred separately. The Eastern strain shows more of the Cochin type, looser feathering, and, as a rule, we are willing to admit, more accurate penciling on the backs of the females. The Western strain will show a more compact bird, and one that feels more solid in the hand. It also shows better shape, and richer coloring on the male bird. These are differences that the judge familiar with both strains will notice the moment he starts down the Partridge Wyandotte alley; but they are differences that will grad- ually disappear. We predict that, within five years, these differences will be blended and result in Partridge Wyandottes even handsomer and better than those we now see at our best shows.” Doubtless in much of today’s stock of the Partridge Wyandotte the two strains are amalgamated. While the discussion as to priority of origin gave neither party the advantage, the debate over the choice of a name became heated and an inky war preceded the victory given to the Western contingent when this variety was admitted as the Partridge Wyandotte, at Chicago, in January, 1901. Factional differences gave way to har. mony soon after this event, following the efforts of several leading fanciers 1o bring the breeders together into a club. A high degree of favor, both at home and 138 abroad immediately overtook this variety, with abundant promise of larger popularity. Nature can use a certain limit of each pigment, but if a surplus is forced into the female’s plumage by the misuse of male color, the result is like the daubing of a perfect picture with cleanings from the palette. If this were confined to the red pigment—which constitutes the ground color of the female’s plumage—the results would not be so bad, simply enriching the color; but a surplus of the pattern-forming black pigment, by deluging that part of the feather’s structure devoted to it, could not logically fail to work havoc with the pattern. Viewed in this light a cross with the Rhode Island Red would be vastly more rational than the use of these fad males, for no better purpose than to develop undercolor—a section which being out of sight we have no plausible excuse to tamper with. Incidental to this unwonted de- velopment of black in additional red, darkening the tone of this color to a point where the male fails to harmonize agreeably with the female; which joined to the fact that such males are depended upon exclusively by most breeders, with disastrous results as regards the female progeny, the breed suffers a serious handicap. The original Standard for the Partridge Wyandotte gave the undercolor for males as “slate.” Webster de- fines slate as “a dark bluish gray color.” The revision committee for Wyandottes in 1903 recommended that the word “dark” be introduced “to qualify the word slate in the undercolor of the male’s neck, back and breast;”” and this change was incoporated in the 1905 First Prize Pallet NewNorh ED AND OWNED THE WYANDOTTES i revision. The male’s proper undercolor is gray; and both slate and white should be cut as defects. Sexual correlation in breeding involves many a knotty problem for the fancier, and it is to the disre- gard of this principle that we owe so many inconsisten- cies in our Standard, involving separate matings to pro- duce the male which is not the color concomitant of the approved color type of female. Nature unaided will set- tle this problem for us if allowed a chance. The male apparently wanting in undercolor is really representa- tive of the breed’s full amount of color; but in the male this is diluted by reason of longer feathers in certain sections, thus causing more of a drain upon the evolved color. The male’s undercolor is thus by nature lighter than the female’s. To pronounce the, female’s under- color simply and unqualifiedly gray is specific enough. A sufficient objection to slate for a descriptive term is its elasticity. That stone itself goes through a large range of color; and if we abide by the authentic defini- tion “a dark bluish gray color,” the specification “blu- ish” implies a degree of blending not reached in under- color. Gray is correct; and the distinct nature of the male’s undercolor should be recognized by specifying in so many words that it may be of lighter gray than the female’s. The true Standard of the Partridge Wyandotte has yet to be written; and when this shall be accomplished along scientific lines and its provisions observed by breeders, the innate beauty of both male and female shall carry them into the front rank of popularity. & Boston 1997. fe BY gy e Vaid, PARTRIDGE WYANDOTTE PULLET A fine specimen of the new variety, showing excellent type and sharp and regular penciling in breast, back, wings and body ie Defects of Partridge Wyandottes Hints on Mating and Breeding for Color and Shape W. A. Doolittle N reply to the questions as to which section of the Partridge Wyandottes still require the most im- provement in striping and penciling, I would say first, in the males, it is the depth and clearness of the striping in the hackle and saddle, also in color of these sections. While in the females, it is the penciling of the back, and entirely too many females are shown with shafting in breast. My observation shows that the breeders who have been such sticklers for yellow shanks on females have invariably produced birds, and you might say a strain, with this defect, which I consider much more serious than slightly dusky shanks which in time may also be eliminated but should not be discounted too severely yet. As to defect in shape. The Partridge Wyandottes usually shown, are much better in shape than many of their sister varieties. They will stand improvement in shape of comb; and some stand too high on their legs though this cannot be said to be a prevailing defect and can easily be remedied by the selection of breeders. Especially the male used should be short on shanks. Formerly the males were too short on shanks. Formerly the males were too numerous that had too long tails carried too high. This is rare now and has been over- come by selecting males that were slow in de- velopment of this section as cockerels. _ = ~ EK. O. THIEM'S FARM. DENISON, IOWA The Original Home of the Western Partridge Wyandotte The principal defect in color of many strains of Partridge Wyandottes is gray in under hackle i] sof males, shafting in their hackle. and a color approaching a lemon color in hackle and saddle. In females, many strains look the rich mahogany color throughout and have the serious defect of shafting in breast. These defects can only be remedied by using males, free from gray in un- der-color at base of hackle and free from the yellow shafting in this section. A continued use of males with good dark under hackle and good black shafts in all hackle feathers will overcome the shafting breast of females and such males usually have the proper surface color. Partridge Wyandottes as shown today aver- age much better in color and shape than almost any of their sister varieties, and possibly, the point needing the most attention in shape is comb and in color is shafting. Single Mating Partridge Wyandottes How One Prominent Breeder Produces Exhibition Birds Leslie W. Kenyon % VER since I started this variety I have prac- ticed the single matings, and have succeeded in getting good exhibition specimens of both sexes. In selecting my females, I begin early in December to watch the development of the most promising, using large, blocky ones, with deep keel, red eye and as good yellow legs as I can get. Plumage with open, clear penciling, a good slaty quill, free from shafting to avoid mossy backs. I rather prefer clear barring in pullets than moss, but in hens it must be clean penciling in saddle and good pen- ciling in the body, under-color not too dark, a light gray or slaty but not white. To this I mate a male with a very even top color; glossy reddish bay wing; top back a fine brownish bay; neck and saddle orange bay, well striped, and if the saddle shows a tendency to an inner bay center, so much the better. But the quill must be dark, under-color of wz good gray all through, not deep slate, but free from white. Black breast, but no matter if the lower part should show brown edging. He must be deep bodied, not too leggy, a good orange shank. In fact, a good Wyandotte. A mating of this kind will always give desired results. But here is where the “rub” comes. Our judges lately lay too much stress on extreme colors; such as black or deep slate under-color in males. A sharp distinct stripe in saddle and hackle; fluff black and al- low the back as well as the top of saddle to become a shade or two darker than lower part of the saddle. Many breeders of Partridge Wyandottes are led astray in their matings, trying to breed these dark males to brown females with good slate under-color, and when unsuccessful, condemn the breed and wonder how it happened that all their females have mossy backs. Do not mate too dark; go a happy medium both in male and females and your breeding will be successful. How to Produce Standard Partridge Wyandottes Line Breeding and Double Mating Necessary to Produce Exhibition Males and Females Rev. A. B. Adam OW shall we breed them to overcome the defects? For all of them except plumage, we will cut it short by saying, “Like begets like.’ Look well to these points in your breeders and you will get good results. First of all line-breed. This holds good for size, shape, eggs and vigor as well as for feathers. When we say line-breed we do not mean inbreeding. At least every three years infuse new blood, but not foreign blood. We cannot explain line-breeding here. You will have to look it up else- where. The one great Eureka in line-breeding is vigor. Single and Double Mating Now we strike the old snag; the much mooted ques- tion: Shall we single mate or double mate? One of the leading breeders, who claims to have “The Best in the World,” also claims that he does not double mate, but produces all his winners, both male and female, by the single mating system. We suspect he does. It would be strange if he could not occasionally do so; but we note that he himself says in his catalogue “When you see a well penciled female, trace her up and you will find that she comes from my strain.” Why does he not say the same about males? We do not dispute for a minute that he has a female strain; but he has not a dis- tinct exhibition male strain if he does not double mate; he cannot have both according to the present Standard and the average application of same by the judges. In the same catalogue we note that four-fifths of his prizes are on females, and with two exceptions his first prizes on males were won prior to 1904 (before the product of Feathers from an English Partridge Wyandotte pullet. First at Crystal Palace (London) Show, 1905. Bred by Hubert Wright, England. Beginning at the left the feathers are from following sections: neck, BEER Bhat wing, and body and fluff, From a photograph by F. L. Sewell. the double mating for males had reached its present ex- eellency) although he gives pictures of ten males and only six females. We too would like to single mate, but the Standard will not let us; and he who does will be strong in females or males, or will not amount to much in either. Rest assured that as long as the Standard demands well pen- ciled females, and bright colored males, we will have to double mate to get a goodly number of the best exhibi- tion specimens. What has become of the Partridge Cochin that has been single mated for years? Even the foremost breeders of Brown Leghorns have succeeded best by double mating. Before the double mating "~ Feathers from an English Partridge Wyandotte hen. First at Crystal Palace (London) Show, 1905. Bred by Hubert Wright, Hngland, Beginning at the left the feathers are from following sections: neck, pene breast, wing, and body and fluff. From a photograph by F. L. Sewell. brought the Partridge Cochins to their present perfec- tion, either the males were not the bright colored ones they are now, but were orange and lemon colored in hackle and saddle, or the females were not highly pen- ciled and rich in mahogany color, but had clay colored breasts. The law of nature will sacrifice bright color in one sex or the other if single mated; and if left alone where there 1s high color in one sex or the other it nearly always becomes prominent in the male, and the female becomes soft and somber. Take the beautiful colored pheasants, red birds, orioles, etc., and you would hardly know that the females belonged to the males. We hear much argument in favor of the single mating backed up by the reference to the prairie chicken, grouse, etc., but remember that in these there are no bright colors, for both sexes have lost them. I suppose that in time, if we would stick to the single mating on the female side, we would produce males penciled as fe- males. The fact is, the writer has approached it some- what in his female line as seen in his cockerels in the fall of the year, and in the matured males as seen in the modified penciling on breasts. 7 The question is this, shall we drop the beautiful pen- ciling in the females, and the high colors in the males as produced by the double mating system, in the surest ‘’’ way and in the greatest numbers, and retrograde to the clay colored breasts of the old time females, or the lemon colored hackles in the males; or double mate and get the acme of perfection in both? Which? I would not advise the mating of an exhibition colored male to an exhibition specimen female. Many have been the dis- appointments of those who have tried this. The usual result is, that both the males and the females are en- , , THE WYANDOTTES 141 tirely too dark. I would advise the mating of exhibition females to a male that in color is too light for a first- class show bird; one that is from a light cherry-red to an orange-red in hackle and saddle. If your females are darker than first-class exhibition specimens, the orange Feathers from a Partridge Wyandotte cock and hen, bred by J. B. Hadaway. The specimens at left and right end show the beautiful and even penciling required by the Standard for females. It will be noticed that this penciling is much sharper and more regularly defined than in the specimens of the English feathers. The five center feathers show Peete striping and sheen of the hackle and saddle feathers of the male, colored male is all the better. If your females are lighter than exhibition specimens, a male should be used that is a medium-dark cherry-red. For the last three years the majority of the winning males have been a very dark cherry-red. This has been an error. To pro- duce exhibition males, take such a male and mate him to females that are lighter in color than exhibition colored females, that nave well-laced (not penciled) hackles, that have been line-bred for males,—the darker the male the lighter the females. To produce exhibition females, take such females that have well penciled (not laced) hackles, mate to them a male that is lighter than an ex- hibition specimen in color, whose breast and fluff are liberally splashed with brown, that has been line-bred for females, that has a narrow light brown bar across each wing-bow feather (feathers have to be raised or pulled tc see it). (This point is worth filing.) The darker the fe- males, the lighter the male should be. By following these lines you will not be bothered with white or purple feathers. Keep the mahogany brown and surface color, with the dark-brown (not black) penciling in the females, and the light to dark- cherry-red (not brick-red) in the males, with black breasts and distinct lacing, and you have the most beau- tiful of domestic birds. Some say that the double mating system will doom them. Has it the Barred Rocks? No! It has boomed: them. As we write this we notice an article in the May (1908) Western Poultry Journal by F. E. Baldwin of Kansas City on “Breeding Partridge Cochins.” He says, “Don’t double mate any Partridge penciled variety.” Yet, he says that in 1896 he imported a pair that “were lighter in shade than our American birds, the male showing lemon in the neck plumage.” He says that crossing them with his American birds, he “got lasting results.” Didn’t he double mate here when he took the light imported male and put with his darker females, and the lighter imported female mated with his darker male? \ Feathers from a Partridge Wyandotte hen. First at Brockton, 1905. and at Boston, 1906; bred by J. B. Hadaway, Brockton, Mass. A remark-~ able specimen in color and penciling. The first two feathers on the left are from the neck, the next two from the back, the third pair from the breast, the fourth pair from the wing-bow, and the three on the right from the body and fluff. The penciling in these feathers is as near perfect in the sections from which they were plucked, as will be fouud in living specimens. We have tried to outline the road to avoid some of the serious mistakes that are being made by many, which are bringing them and their birds to grief, and have also tried to point the way, as we believe, that will make Partridge Wyandottes the most popular and profit~ able variety of any breed in all the world. Silver Penciled Wyandottes History of the Origin and Development of this Variety, with Comments by the Originator F. W. Proctor HE making of this Wyandotte is properly ac- credited to George H. Brackenbury, to whose efforts in originating several varie- ties of this breed we are largely indebted, and to Ezra Cornell. In his earliest men- tion of the Partridge variety, in 1894, Mr. Brackenbury wrote: “Regarding the Silver Penciled variety, experiments are being made in which I have great faith, and believe will prove successful in the end.” During the progress of the Madison Square Garden Show the previous winter Mr. Cornell saw in Mr. Sewell’s possession some Buff Laced feathers, and thus becoming interested in Mr. Brackenbury and his work immediately visited the latter, and upon that occasion. they jointly laid plans for bringing out a Silver Penciled variety. A Partridge Wyandotte male bred to a Dark Brahma hen was Mr. Brackenbury’s first cross, the re- sulting chicks realizing the very natural expectation of the golden duckwing type—silver females and males with red on wings. Mr. Cornell mated a Silver Laced Wyan- dotte male to a Silver Penciled Hamburg female. The fol- lowing spring, and continuously from that time on, these two stocks were amalgamated. As thus constituted the Silver Penciled variety is one-quarter each of these four blood sources. At a later period Mr. Cornell wrote: “In 1897 we had better penciling on Silver Penciled Wyan- 142 dotte females than I had ever seen up to that time on any Partridge Wyandotte. Since then we have worked Hard for a better color, and have made good progress in that direction. We shall not, however, be perfectly sat- isfied until we have clearly defined markings of black and white. A Silver Penciled Wyandotte with this strong contrast of color will be an ideal American fowl. “A number of prominent poultry experts have ex- pressed themselves as believing that the Silver Penciled Wyandottes possess the combination of qualities which will eventually make them the most popular variety in America. If this belief is to be realized the Standard must be made to fit the variety instead of the variety being made to fit some unnatural and arbitrary Stand- ard, as is unfortunately the case with some of the older Silver Penciled Wyandotte cockerel showing fine detail in mark- ing, especially the fine lacing of saddle auiyioe and of neck hackle, clear, silvery-white wing-bows and complete black wing-bar. Froma A by F. L, Sewell of a specimen at the yards ofJohn Wharton, England. varieties. We must know to a certainty the plumage of the male which corresponds to that of the female. Do not demand a clean black fluff on the male or a well penciled fluff on the female, or rich yellow legs. Develop the plumage to its greatest perfection from single mat- ings and let the shanks come whatever color they will. Then make the standard to fit the birds and we will have a variety to bank on.” We may readily formulate several causes why the Silver Penciled variety at this early date had apparently outstripped their Partridge relatives in nicety of pat- tern—a feat, by the way, they are not likely long to continue, especially if the latter variety becomes more fully perfected along strict scientific color lines, and the Silvers are not occasionally subjected to a eross with the Partridge to reinforce their color pattern. Not only as to derivation, but also considering the occasional need for any duckwing to resort to its black-red congener to correct a tendency for black and white to scatter when THE WYANDOTTES bred conjointly, is the Silver Penciled Wyandotte to be regarded as a natural sub-variety of the Partridge. The one-half blood derivation from this pattern represented in the Dark Brahma and Partridge extraction we may conceive to have become in effect full blood of this pat- tern through the principle of selection. The Silver’s early excellence we may attribute to its having thus in- herited all of the Partridge’s perfection of color joined to the fact of a much simplified color scheme; the sub- stitution of white for red—which constitutes the sole departure between these varieties—disposing of the Partridge’s constant problem as to proper color of male. And there the Silver Penciled variety’s advantage ceases, for the inevitable proneness of the duckwing coloration to display a warm tone of color—the salmon breast of the Game female being transferred to the bulk of the Wyandotte’s plumage—and, in place of the desired neutral gray, a plumage of a brownish-gray cast proves the invariable rule. The question naturally arises, why the same degree of neutral toned quality found upon the Silver Laced variety cannot be repeated upon the Penciled. It would seem as if the male were responsible for this retained red, which in his instance by being massed in a comparatively small section of the plumage more readily escapes notice. Perfect the male in this respect, and the female’s warmth of color tone will follow. While the Silver Penciled male remains a straight duckwing, largely black in make-up, the Laced variety has eliminated so much of its black—and inei- dentally its red tendencies—as to be approximately a white fowl. The inherent disadvantage of the Silver Penciled Wyandotte from being a subordinate coloration, yield- ‘ ing precedence to the Partridge as to both pattern and color, is in a measure offset by its more pronounced con- trasts of eolor. If the general effect of the Partridge is rich, that of the Silver is more striking. As regards practical traits there should be little choice between these two colorations. From the time the breed was first projected in 1894, until his death in 1902, Mr. Cornell gave this variety his unceasing attention; and having been the leading spirit in its development during this period, his name is most intimately connected with the variety. Mr. E. G. Wyckoff purchased the entire stock at the time of Mr. Cornell’s death, and the vigor with which he has since pushed the breed has made his the best-known name in this connec- «tion in America. Stock was early sent to England, and the good impression there produced resulted in a quick demand for the variety in that country. In 1903 Mr. Wyckoff sent a shipment of 60 specimens to Australia, in response to an invitation to have the variety take part in an international laying contest. Not a specimen was lost on the voyage—a fact that speaks strongly for the vigor of the stock. Regarding the practical qualities of this variety, Mr. Wyckoff states: : “Possessed of an unusual share of beauty, they are likewise a general utility fowl. They are full, round and plump, and reach maturity quickly. As egg-producers there are none better. In our laying houses the Silvers, under identical conditions, are on a par with, if not ac- tually ahead of, the Single-comb Buff and White Leg- horns; and reports from other breeders indicate great surprise and satisfaction at the egg-yield from this strain. Mating Silver Penciled Wandottes Good Results from the Single Mating System Jas. S. Wason HIS beautiful and useful fow] came into the world about fifteen years ago through the efforts and skill of Ezra Cornell and Geo. H. Brackenbury. With me it was a case of love at first sight and each sycceeding year I found myself more deeply interested in the pro- duction and improvement of these beautiful birds. Having an ambition to own and produce birds of high quality, I purchased winning cockerels at Boston and New York, also stock and eggs from the best in the yards in the East. With this as a foundation, my fondest hopes have been realized. My matings last year gave me not only a flock of unusual average but a larger per- centage of show birds than I have ever before ap- proached. These birds were all produced by the single mating and high scoring males and females came from the same pen. The mating from which these birds were produced consisted of females with a clear, soft gray ground, clearly penciled with three distinct black marginal stripes, or circles. The male that headed the pen was a bird of standard size, nice yellow legs; bay eyes; sil- very white top color and solid black breast. It is gen- erally believed that white ticking on breast: of male is preferable in pullet matings but my experience does not . confirm this theory. On the contrary, my best results “have come through a male bird as described above, pro- vided the under-color is not too dark. The preference being for a lead under-color shading lighter as it ap- proaches the skin. Such a male having good striped neck and saddle and having a beetle green on tail and wing bars will give excellent results if mated to females with the soft gray and black combination rather than the objectionable reddish color so often seen in this va- riety of fowl. In conclusion will say that size of bird and color of eye are two important items in selecting breeders— small specimens and those having light or fish colored eyes are to be avoided. Silver Penciled Wyandotte hen of elegant pattern and fine detail of marking. From a photograph by F. L. Sewell of a specimen at the yards of John Wharton, England. Double Mating Silver Penciled Wyandottes Vv. G. Warner NTENSELY interesting is the study of the art of breeding. We learn from experience and from reading, but experience is the best teacher; sometimes it is really dear. There are still many secrets to learn about the breeding of the Pen- ciled Wyandottes. We find them like the Partridge, that to produce exhibition males and exhibition females you must use the double mating system. A male which has a pure black breast is entirely too dark for a pullet mating. For pullets we use a male with some white splashes in breast, the same as the Partridge breeders, who use red in breast for females. For males to mate we use a strictly pure black breast, good hackle, saddle and wing markings. We have had excellent results from such matings. I would advise. breeders to pay more attention to ‘ the shape of their birds; have them blocky and full of. curves. Nice low standard shaped combs are very attrac- tive and we find they are easier to breed in Penciled than any other variety. The penciling in the females seems to be the hardest thing to produce. They get too light in breast, or mingled in the back, and to get a feather with the nice distinct dark penciling, with outlines which con- form with the feather and free from any shafting, is a hard proposition. The hackle should be silvery white with a black stripe extending through each feather, tapering to a point near the extremity of feather. The black stripe may be slightly penciled with silvery white in the female, but each feather should be free from any black edging. Under-color should be dark slate. CHAPTER XIII Black Wyandottes Origin and History of One of the Hardiest and Most Useful Varieties of the Wyandottes F. W. Proctor F THE available historical matter were propor- tionate to: their actual beauty and -utility, the Black Wyandotte should have a chapter of goodly length. However, the record of their develop- L. ment is long in comparison with the degree of popular favor they have attained, as judged by show- room statistics. Systematic breeding of Black Wyandottes was begun in 1885. The admission of the Silver variety two years BLACK WYANDOTTE COCK Bred by Frank C Sites. Ohio. Won first prize at New York, 1908—09, and at Cleveland, 1909. Heisa fine specimen in color and type. previous had proved an immediate spur to originators, and the eight recognized varieties, besides Blues, Buff Laced and Violettes were immediately projected. The eight years that followed before the Blacks were got in shape for admission (1893) to the Standard, proved an effectual time handicap and the popular White, Golden and Buff varieties, with the dozen-and-one other at- home-and-abroad distractions had completely ahsorbed the attention of breeders. The names of two Ohio breeders, F. J. Marshall and F. M. Clemens, as set forth in the various publications of that day, were associated with the earliest work with this variety. Mr. Marshall found among his Silvers in 1885 a pair of chicks that were essentially black. The pullet’s color defects were confined to slight touches of white in primaries and hackle; the cockerel had a silver neck with nearly solid white under-color, and some white in wings and tail. Three years of breeding had brought some improvement, when, hearing of Mr. Clemens’ stock, an exchange of males followed. From a pair of black sport pullets out of Silver stock, mated to a pure male similarly bred and solid black save hackle of regulation Silver color, Mr. Clemens had worked up a strain of Blacks. From «w recent personal letter from Mr. Clem- ens, we quote his account of the building of his strain: “The chicks from this first mating were almost all solid black, only a few showing the hackle markings of the sire. The fixing of the color was not very difficult, the main problem arising from the dearth of fresh blood with which to keep up stamina. This was over- come by securing, a little later on, several pure black ‘sport’ pullets from the yards of Silver Wyandotte breed- ers, and also in the following manner. About 1890 a friend who owned an exceptionally fine flock of Barred Plymouth Rocks, obtained from me a well-marked Black Wyandotte cockerel and mated him to his Barred Rock females. The result of the cross was peculiar. Every’ cockerel was true Barred Rock in color, while every pul- let was a true Black Wyandotte in color, comb and Sy gyplling BLACK WYANDOTTE HEN ‘ “~~~ One of F. M. Clemans’ typical specimens. Vv di i d : fot nice Wyandotte character Ill E tic fii ail uetouched'shioto is Porap by AO Soke: ustration from au untouched photo: THE WYANDOTTES shape, but with superior size and stamina, and with in- creased ability as egg producers. I was so impressed with the size and beauty of these pullets that I selected a few of the best and mated them to a pure Black Wy- andotte male. The product was, of course, three-fourths Black Wyandotte, and not one showed any Plymouth Rock markings, but the large size and splendid egg-pro- ducing qualities continued. I think that to fusion with this blood is partially due the superior size and vigor 145 of the present-day Black Wyandotte. It is the only black all-purpose fowl of .pure American origin, and as such is a credit to the American class.” The Black specimens occasionally shown of late years form a most attractive addition to the list of more popular colorations, and it would seem that so at- tractive a fowl would naturally find a respectable fol- lowing despite any handicap. Modern Black Wyandottes Howard Grant ONDITIONS under which poultry must exist oN is an all-important factor in the selection & of a variety the poultryman selects for his \ use whether it be for pleasure or for profit. The Wyandotte has always seemed to us to approach as near the ideal for the all- e around fowl as any breed could ever hope \ to. It is net our purpose here to dwell upon the merits of the breed in general for they are too well known to need any repetition. It is our purpose, however, to tell some facts concerning a variety of this breed that may be of benefit to some reader. This variety is the Black Wyandotte. It is very true that not a great deal has been written about them in this country, but in England they are very popular. So popular in fact that at the last Crystal Palace Show the Blacks out num- - bered all other varieties of the breed. By their wonder- ful utility value and beautiful appearance at all times, they have commenced to attract no little attention in this country. A few facts concerning their utility quali- “ties may not be amiss here. In over twelve years’ ex- perience with different varieties of several breeds, in- cluding most of the Wyandottes, we wish to state that the Black Wyandotte in our hands has been absolutely the best all around bird that we have ever had exper- ience with. They mature quickly, are very hardy, do not seem susceptible to the ordinary poultry diseases, are very docile, a three foot fence confined our young stock the entire season last year without trouble, they arrive at the laying age quickly and, best of all, keep everlast- ingly at it. Their eggs average larger we believe than the other varieties. Why this should be we do not know, but we are giving this as our experience. The heavy laying trait is not confined to pullets and yearling hens alone as is the case with many fowls. We will cite an example to illustrate this. A 3 year old hen in our yards recently laid 29 eggs in 30 consecutive days. This won- derful old hen hatched two broods of chicks last year and raised one brood and laid over 140 eggs in the year. One of her daughters won first prize for us at one of the largest shows in the country this season. Twenty to twenty-five eggs per month during the coldest winter months is no exception for Black Wyandottes. This statement is not mere guess work for our birds are eo and we are positive as to facts given here. e Blacks weigh more than their appearance would suggest for the reason that they are not as loosely feathered as some varieties and their flesh is very solid and their bodies have the firm feeling of a well con- ditioned game fowl. Cockerels weighing 84, to 9 Ibs. and pullets 614 to 7 lbs. are not at all uncommon. If the makers of the new Standard had raised the weight of the Wyandottes, the breeders of Blacks would have ne ’ trouble to meet the required weight. We are stating this in spite of the statements of some writers to the effect that the Black Wyandottes are the smallest of all the varieties. The writers of such statements are either un- informed or else they have never had a real good look at the up-to-date kind that we are speaking of. The color of the skin of the Blacks is a rich yellow and the dressed fowl is very attractive looking indeed. The quality of the flesh is of the very best and they are simply de- licious eating. We have never tasted their equal. In closely approaching Standard requirements their only rival is the Whites. Many well informed judges and breeders claim that they throw a larger percentage of birds closely approaching Standard type and color than the Whites and we believe this to be true. In color they should be a lustrous black with a beautiful greenish sheen in hackle, saddle, back and coverts, the balance of the plumage being black. Comb, face, wattles and lobes bright red. The beak, black with yellow shading. Shanks, black, or black shading into yellow on the feet. The bottoms of the feet must be yellow. This is an important point in picking birds for exhibition. Make sure that every bird has this color on the bottoms of the feet for every judge, nine times out of ten will look for this section as soon as he takes the bird from the exhibition coop. No matter how fine a bird he may be in other respects, if he lacks this feature, he is down and out as far as exhi- bition purposes are concerned. Of course this variety has defects and serious ones, but who would care to breed a fowl that did not have? The principal color defect is purple and purple barring. Red and white appear only to a limited extent. Some of the finest specimens of the variety are absolutely free from these color defects, but they are exceptional birds and are worth all the money one can get for them, and buyers are more plentiful than these birds. Red and white rarely appear in the best strains and then to no great extent. Purple, however, is ever ready to crop out upon seemingly small provoca- tion, an injury, improper feeding during the growing period of young stock and the moulting season of the old, will sometimes cause this. color to show. Good eare, intelligent mating and good foundation stock will wipe out this defect almost entirely. Some of the finest males show a small amount of red in hackle and saddle. These birds should not be discarded unless the red ex- tends over 4% inch, for these birds as a general thing, are fine breeders, especially for breeding the finest col- ored females. Great care must be taken in mating these males that you do not mate them to too lustrous fe- males. Avoid purple as much as possible in making up your breeding pens and you will save a good deal of trouble in your next year’s stock. The English favor yel- low shanks but to get the desired shank coloring the t 146 under-color of the plumage is white and many of the best English specimens have hard work from keeping the white from showing on the surface. this country are leaning toward the yellow shanks but we are well satisfied from correspondence with leading English breeders that it is a detriment to the breed, for s0 many specimens will have to be sacrificed to get just one with this desired section correct that it would make the variety a-fancy one entirely. The utility value is tou great to run such a risk. Breeders will remember what a death blow the yellow shank was to the Black Leg- horn and will do well to take warning. Many earnest breeders think as we do about this mater and we doubt very much if this change will-ever be made in the Stand- ard. In preparation tor the show room it is not neces- sary to wash your birds although we do not say that a washing would not be of benefit to their appearance. Brush the feathers out well with a soft brush or soft silk cloth and be sure and use plenty of “elbow grease” and they will shine and glisten in a surprising manner. Wash shanks and feet as you would any exhibition bird. Also face, comb and wattles. The Blacks always look fit to show at a moment’s notice, even when confined in a small city back yard where smoke and dirt abound. Where other varieties would look dirty and neglected they glisten and shine like black diamonds. This is an important point in their favor to fanciers who are lo- eated in cities where the above conditions prevail. Here is a variety that any amount of skill can be used to ad- Some breeders in’ THE WYANDOTTES vantage in breeding and yet will always look well in any environment and lay eggs in plenty. We know of prize winners in some of our largest shows having been raised in small city back yards. They will not show the dirt and you will not have to apologize to your friends when you take them out in the back yard to show them your birds. They are certainly beautiful in appearance and you cannot help admiring them. You need not fear that a market can not be found for your surplus stock for the demand is greater than the supply for really geod birds of this variety and at very good prices indeed. Prices from $10 to $100 are not uncommon. Leading breeders of this variety will tell you that they have very few surplus birds to spare. If you do not believe this write to them and find out for yourself as to prices and also the number of birds they have to spare. If good birds cannot be had, eggs for hatching from the best eggs that can be bought is the next best thing in getting a start. A Black Wyandotte well hatched is about as good as raised for they show wonderful vitality and if a violent death does not interfere nothing can stop them from reaching maturity. That, at least, has been our ex- perience. Stray cats have caused us greater loss than sickness or disease ever did. If this article will be of benefit to any breeder or prospective breeder and has pointed out the way to a successful poultry career, even though it be of the “back yard” kind, we are satisfied. Merits of Black Wyandottes F. M. Clemans t AM frequently asked: “‘Why do you prefer the _Black Wyandottes to the other varieties, and the points in their favor?” In two points only do the Blacks differ from other Wyandottes in out- ward appearance—size and color. The Blacks are easier to bring to Standard weight than the other varieties. That is, a larger percentage of them will make Standard weight without excessive crowding than the other Wyandottes. The color is a glossy greenish black and should be free from the purple ray. The plumage is most beautiful and is durable in its beauty. For the town and city resident where coal dust will soon render unsightly any of the light colored fowls, this breed cannot be too highly commended, for the reason that it retains its beauty of plumage throughout the year in spite of adverse circumstances. Taken on the whole a well-bred Black Wyandotte is a very pleasing sight to the fancier. The compact, blocky body, the low set rocker comb, the bright red eye, and the green black sheen of the plumage form a most pleas- ing picture. I am the oldest breeder of Black Wyandottes, be- ginning my work on the breed in 1885, and the breed, to me, has not lost its charm. I do not expect that it ever will. One thing the Black Wyandotte breeder will learn— that good straight surface and under-color are always accompanied by a dark shank. Too much yellow in shank will mean light under-color nine times in ten. The Standard description of shank is the correct one. This was threshed out years ago, and the present dark shank as described in the Standard, with yellow ‘shading al- lowed, and with yellow bottoms to feet, was the result of practical experience. 7 Now when it comes to farm value, Black Wyandotte breeders who have really tried the breed out invariably praise it very highly. It used to be an adage that “black is a strong color.” Black Wyandottes are extremely hardy, and the chicks are the easiest reared of any breed Tever saw. The older fowls can stand any climate. The Wyandotte has a winter-laying comb, and I regard the Blacks especially strong winter layers. In fact the year round finds the Black Wyandotte hen keeping full pace with the Wyandotte reputation as an egg producer. Now as to table qualities they are equal -to all other Wyan- dottes, which is all that can be asked. They nearly all dress a nice yellow skin. ‘Just now, in old England, the Black Wyandotte has taken on a boom that is making the Orpington fowl sit up and take notice. At the Crystal Palace Show, 1908, over 140 Black Wyandottes were shown, as against 100 of any other variety of Wyandottes. The show of Blacks was the sensation of the year. This means but one thing to my mind—that the Black Wyandottes must now come into their own in America where they originated and have long been bred on a small scale. America went to England for the Black Orpington fowl and made it a great favorite, which it well deserved. But we have rteg- lected the only black breed ever originated in this coun- try, the Black Wyandotte, and English breeders are open- ing our eyes to the fact that we have neglected a good thing. Present indications make it a safe prediction that a few years will see American fanciers competing with English fanciers in making the Black Wyandotte section one of the largest and most attractive at the great shows, CHAPTER XIV Non-Standard Wyandottes Origin of the Buff Laced and Blue Laced Varieties F. W. Proctor HESE two non-Standard varieties are inter- related in actual origin and are slightly dif- fering forms of one natural classification, being respectively Red Pyles and Blue Pyles—as we say among Games—of the Golden Wyandotte. To further explain these terms, the Buff-Laced Wyandotte (whose pattern is a white lacing to each buff feather) is a Golden which by disturbance of the function of color production, the red pigment only being evolved, is devoid of black lacing. And the Blue Laced BUFF LACED WYANDOTTE COCKEREL Bred by Ira C. Keller, Ohio. or Violette is its counterpart, in which the black is in large part suspended, leaving a blue lacing. As it is the method of procedure among breeders of Games to mate « black-red variously to a white or a blue to obtain cor- responding colorations, so did the mating of a Golden Wyandotte to those solid colors result in the Buff Laced and Violette Wyandottes. . As in many an instance in the origination of breeds, it was their incidental appearance as a by-product in evolving other varieties which first suggested these two varieties as desirable types, and their close relationship is shown by their having appeared conjointly from the same sources. In common with all Wyandottes, these varieties are of American origin, although it has been in England that they have been most largely cultivated. The credit of their origin is shared amoung three breeders, all residents of the Empire State. and each of whom was bent upon the making or improving of other varieties when these appeared. Mr. Ira C. Keller was the first to publicly exhibit Buff Laced specimens, and the following, from the Poultry Monthly for May, 1900, is an authoritative account of his share in their origin: “I originated a strain of Violette Laced Wyandottes, laying the foundation in 1886. I used pure Wyandotte breeds and by crossing and re-crossing, produced a Wy- andotte the same as the Golden, except with violet blue for black. These violet laced birds threw a number of specimens with white lacing; with these I laid the founda- tion for the Buff Laced. I have several times added Golden Wyandotte blood to the Buff Laced, to increase size and make a stronger lacing. I named the breed Buff Laced in 1896, I showed my first specimens at New York in 1895, and have had them there every year since. We now have a class for them at New York. The first two years, they were shown in the any other variety class, and I showed a pullet that won first over 11 Golden Penciled, Black and Columbian pullets. This pullet was laced about as nearly perfect as can be bred in any color. Since then, I have bred a number of her equals. The Buff Laced breed has the most perfect type of lacing to be found in any fowl, with the exception of the Sebrights. They breed a broad feather, quite narrow lace, but very distinct, and to my way of thinking, one of the most beautiful and striking fowls in existence. They seem to’ be made up of beauty; they lace all over. There is no Wyandotte that breeds more true to lacing. They are just like the Goldens, only white instead of black, with a rich golden buff ground color instead of a golden body. The main fault, and the only serious one which they possess, is a black or bluish tinge which creeps into the wings and tails of a good many. I have increased the size until I now have some eight-pound hens. The first hen at New York, 1899, weighed 7% pounds. I sold the first trio to Rev. Crombleholm, of BUFF LACKED WYANDOTTE PULLET Bred by Ira C. Keller, Ohio. England, in February, 1897. From this trio he raised a pullet that brought $50 at the Palace Show. They took the fancy at a rapid rate in England and different parts of Europe, and they took all the good birds we had to spare for three years. Many of these birds won high 148 honors in the leading shows over there, and they are be- coming very popular in England, so one can readily see why they are not more generally bred in America. The -trouble was that they weren’t to be had. They, how- ever, I take pride in saying, are now in the hands of about a dozen of our best Wyandotte fanciers, and are coming to the front slowly, but surely, and are a real fancier’s and practical fowl]. All I claim for them is that they possess all the good qualities of the Wyandotte.” Mr. Geo. Brackenbury, to whose pioneer spirit in Wyandotte creation we owe so many varieties, was early in the field with both Buff Laced and Violettes, the lat- ter name having been the joint selection of himself and Artist Sewell, who early showed much interest in the variety. Mr. Brackenbury’s stock owed its origin to ex- BLUE LACED WYANDOTTE FEATHERS Furnished by Waldo Kennard, Massachusetts. periments. looking to a solid blue coloration, the founda- tion of which was a blue hen of Wyandotte type result- ing from'an accidental Blue Game and Silver Wyandotte cross. The use of Golden Wyandotte males for two generations had left the stock still blue, but the third season with such a sire resulted in a pair of golden- centered blue-laced chickens: ‘as pretty as anything that ever wore feathers, I thought at that time,” wrote Mr. Brackenbury in 1900 (ibid), ‘‘and I tried to breed them blue-laced instead of solid blue. My blue-laced pullet died so I bred the blue-laced male back to Golden-Laced Wyandotte females, and produced ten or fifteen pullets and cockerels, all blue-laced, but the lacing was too dark.” “From a combination of blood made up from a Golden Wyandotte-Buff, Cochin cross, mated to White Wyandotte-Buff Cochin ‘eross-breds, a cockerel sported, having the two colors as we see them in the Buff Laced birds. His breast, body and wingbars were laced with white as perfectly as any laced Wyandotte male I ever saw, his wingbow and all the centers of his entire plumage were of the same deep red bay color. The white lacing was as white as we see the white in any white variety. This Buff Laced malé was bred to a pen of the Blue Laced females to lighten the color of the lacing, and from the result of this mating, we selected one beautiful pullet having the desired shade of color. The males all came black laced, the females came in two col- ors of lacing, about equally divided, blue laced and white laced. I mated the bright Blue Laced pullet to a Blue Laced male. Fully 75 per cent. of this pullet’s eggs hatched out creamy white chickens, with deep orange or buff colored heads. Out of curiosity I allowed them to live, and they proved to be like their grandsire in color; more regularity of lacing I never saw than that seen in my flock of Buff Laced Wyandottes. I could not THE WYANDOTTES develop these Buff Laced birds as I would like to do, so distributed them among several friends. Mr. Sewell and Mr. Ira C. Keller are still breeding them, making marked improvement, and these two strains are not very nearly related, as Mr. Keller has bred them so they are quite strong in his own line of blood which he originated en- tirely, with the exception of the one male that I sent him. Mr. F. L. Mattison introduced some new outside blood and improved his strain, and was still breeding them one year ago. The hen mentioned above as the bright Blue Laced hen, was bred to a White Laced, or Buff Laced male for two or three years, and all of her pullets and three-fourths of her cockerels were White Laced.” Mr. Chas. P. Pond originated a distinct strain of Buff-Laced Wyandottes, description of which we glean from Poultry Monthly: | i “This new and beautiful breed of fowls was orig- inated by the writer in 1888 in the following manner: Among my Golden Wyandottes came three pullets, a solid buff with black tails. Looking into the future, I felt sure that a Buff Wyandotte would be an acquisition and be a useful and popular fowl. Not having a buff male, I used a yellow-backed White Wyandotte male with these pullets. From this cross I obtained a few fair Buff Wyandottes, some plain pyles and two or three with what is now called ‘buff laced’ feathers. Seeing in these something new, original and beautiful. I saved them, and mated them next year to a Golden Wyandotte cock. This mating produced both males and females buff laced. I have since bred them together, using Golden blood oc- casionally to infuse fresh blood.” , In England, these varieties found instant popularity which has endured to the present day; and their lapse after a season of limited favor in this country may be ascribed to the fact that poultry fancying in America is more generally a commercia] matter and less a gratifi- BLUE LACED WYANDOTTE PULLET Bred by R. Powell, Rugland, cation’ of individual taste than abroad. Despite their handicap of being derived colorations, with their present defects of color corrected, their possibilities of beauty arising from striking contrasts of color—delicate in the Buff Laced, and of unequaled richness in the Blue Laced = Violette—should some day bring a reaction in their avor, Blue Wyandottes Origin of this New and Handsome Variety—How to Breed Exhibition Specimens Waldo Kennard ~}, OR hundreds of years blue color was much ‘A= sought after in domestic poultry and was produced largely among birds of the Spanish race and its sub-families. Early records show that it was commonly ob- tained by mating white with black and that in certain localities breeds were developed S, that would reproduce themselves to a greater or less extent. Blue Wyandottes have appeared as sports from both the Whites and Blacks and have been bred by mat- ing Whites, Blacks and Silvers. These have usually failed to reproduce their colors and for this reason they are seldom seen as a flock. Mr. C. W. Smith, of Massachusetts, has lately exhibited them at Providence and Taunton, winning prizes, and others in that locality are breeding a few and there is no reason why the many who admire the blue fowls should not again take them up. The Smith strain contains Blue Old English Game blood and a later infusion of blue through a male that sported from the Goldens. Most strains, however, have been of pure Wyandotte blood as any cross will develop undesirable characteristics that are ‘hard to breed out. In producing them from other varie- ties a white male free from brass or cream matched to a bluish-black or dead-black female pure in color will usually give a larger amount of blue chicks than any “other mating I have tried, though none could be de- pended upon surely, and while two certain strains will cross successfully two others may fail, and it is only after getting the blood lines well established in a strain that one can depend on getting say 60 per cent of blue chicks as in the best strains of other breeds of the color. Never expect success by mating unrelated stock year after year, no matter how perfect in color. By breeding back to the best producers and nearing the relationships so much as is consistent, the blood line becomes set. Every unrelated bird that is introduced into the flock will pull down and destroy just so much that has been gained. To attain the delicate pure blue in the first cross is seldom possible and the color of the flock only improves, like wine, with age. The lacing is a most difficult feature to attain and few have been successful. It should be as dark as pos- sible and clean cut. Strange as it may seem, two birds of the same shade of blue, though well laced, will seldom get well laced chicks, the edging having a dull, faded ap- pearance. A light male with dark females will produce the best ground-color but the lacing is often weak. Dark males give the best lacing but the blue ground is apt to be dull in hue and rather uneven. The hackle, saddle and shoulders of the males should be as dark as can be, short of positive black, and the riéher the blue, or even a purple sheen, the better will be the color of the progeny and the fading of the pullets at maturity the less. Never use a bird having a trace of brown or bronze, nor with dove-colored body. Those males having the lighter ground-color often lack in the edging of the feathers, so get the lacing as strong as possible. Mate chese with birds having the lacing broad and dark and see that the sides of the feathers are properly colored, for many a bird looks well-marked at first glance but when the feathers are laid back it will be seen that the lacing fades out as it nears the fluff. This is a fault sure to be perpetuated. The centers should be light enough to offer some contrast or the chicks will show but little marking. To the dark males mate the light hens and as these later are liable to be weak in lacing see that the male is par- ticularly good in this respect, and if there is plenty of gloss on the breast the pullets will usually be strong in this section which is hard to get. Those birds showing a tendency to striping in the hackles are invariably the best breeders. The medium- colored males must be matched with mates considerably darker or lighter. Such a male, if with very rich, dark lacing does best with « somewhat lighter consort; if the marking is lacking in strength his better halves must be strong both in ground color and lacing and dark par- ticularly in hackle. Under-color plays an important part in producing the beautiful shade so much desired, so use breeders rich-hued. Examine the under-color at the base of the tail and under the collar, or cape. Some of the sharpest laced pullets are those with light fiuff. These must be bred to a dark cock. If your lacing is getting too dark use a hen with ground-color just short of black and her cockerels will help out next season. She should be put with the light- est well-laced male. Willow and green will bother some in the shanks so have a care to the yellow shanks of the male bird as he is the one who governs color here. If for any reason new blood is absolutely required introduce it through a hen and use her pullets next year to their sire. Do not use her cockerels or you will ruin the delicate shade of your blue. Usually light males pro- duce either sex equally good, but the dark males excel] in pullets and produce the best as a rule. Blue Wyandottes are excellent as layers as may be expected, if of pure blood. And what variety is more superb, the male with his rich, glossy dark top-color and tail, set off with a light breast, evenly laced; and red comb, wattles and lobes to balance the yellow shanks. And the gentler sex, particularly the pullet in her ful} bloom just as she is about to lay her first egg. The soft blue, the smart lacing just right to set it off perfectly; the yellow hose and the red head-gear! She is indeed a lady of quality. This variety must be regarded as purely fancy owing to the comparatively small number of blue birds produced, 50 per cent to 70 per cent in a sound strain; yet of the blue birds a large proportion will be prime for breeding from. But they require the sensitive touch of the true lover of feathered beauty. Pyle Wyandottes How to Produce, Mate and Breed the Red Pyle Variety of Wyandottes Waldo Kennard ITH the advent of the Golden Wyandotte breeders on both sides of the Atlantic im- mediately seized upon the opportunity given by the black-red colors and pro- ceeded to cross with the White Wyandotte for the production of Pyles. The bay of the centers of the Goldens, however, precluded any great number of first-class specimens as it con- stantly appeared more or less for many years, ruining the pure breasts of the males and causing most of the females to be smutted in breast-color and tinged with its impurity in the other sections. Crosses with the males of other breeds were tried by the few who had not al- ready given them up and later the Partridge Wyandotte gave them the proper male with its solid black breast. To breed them a cross should be made of a Part- ridge male and a White Wyandotte female free from ticking. The latter should be a hen as the chicks will be larger and more vigorous and by having the male a year or two younger the color in the chicks will be stronger. The male should have a solid black breast and wing-bar absolutely free of any red and if the tail or flights should have some natural pure white then so much the better. As the hackle, back and saddle of a Pyle male should be free of all striping have your cockerel as near solid red in these sections as you can get, as the white and slate striping is the most difficult of all imperfections to eradicate. See that the red in top color is deep and rich, the hackle brilliant orange. Another mating should be made of a White Wyandotte male and a Partridge female of a nut-brown hue and as free as possible of penciling, par- ticularly on the breast. The progeny of these crosses should be bred both ways and with proper judgment in future matings success will gradually follow. No set rule can be given and several years will elapse before good birds will appear. Pyles test to the utmost the skilled hand of the breeder to get a sufficiency of color in sections where de- sired and yet keep others absolutely free of color pigment. Special matings are usually for cockerels and pul- lets but it is not necessary to have separate cockerel and pullet breeding strains. Sometimes both sexes good in color will come from the same pair, but this seldom happens outside of an occasional stray specimen. For the cockerel pen the male should be free from any tinge of color on his breast. It must be pure white; this is a very important point. The hackle free from striping and of a bright orange is the ideal but they seldom come really good solid color for slate and white are nearly al- ways evident. I like the hackle a little darker colored than is ex- pected in the chicks. The wing-bow, back and saddle should be a fine crim- son but usually the saddle is too pale. Wing-bar pure white. ‘he tail must also be pure white but slate ap- pears at the base and the birds with the purest breasts often show a decided black. I never saw a tail pure to the skin except on smutty breasted birds. Females for this pen should have even salmon breasts free from decided red or the cockerels will have mottled breasts. Hackles bright colored and pure orange if possible. Wings should be what are called “ruddy,” especially on the shoulders and the darker the better provided there is not too much body color. For this pen a bit of color in the flights of the females will do no harm. If there is a good deal of body-color be sure that it is fairly evenly distributed and not in blotches. For the pullet breeding pen the male should be quite light colored, more of an orange than rich red, although the females cleanest in body-color often come from a male of a de- cided brownish cast to the top color. The females should be of standard color. To get: both sexes of good color from one pen, mate up as for the cockerel pen and add some females nearly free from color on breast and pure white in wings and body. This is fairly successful if the male bird be not too rich-hued,’ but I do not advise it if two pens can be mated up. As there is some difficulty in keeping up the brilliant, rich. colors of the males it is perhaps good practice to oc- casionally use in the cockerel pen a very dark female from a fine colored sire, or even match a Partridge male as previously described to a nearly white Pyle female. This infusion of blood to increase color every few years is commonly used by breeders of Red Pyle Modern Game (exhibition game) and Pyle Leghorns. On the other hand, the most gorgeous Pyle coloring ever produced has appeared in strains of this color of old English Game that have had no new blood for many years and inbred to a degree almost unbelievable to the ordinary fancier, This great inbreeding has been carried on so skill- fully that vigor, courage and size have actually increased and the number of specimens true to color much greater than where fresh blood has been constantly added. BUFF LACED WYANDOTTES, BRED BY H. M. J. VAN NIBS, UTRECHT, HOLLAND Buff, Columbian, Birchen and Cuckoo Wyandottes HE late Rowland G. Buffinton, of domenset; Mass., who was fond ‘of originating and. perfecting new varieties of poultry ever since he started in the business in 1864, just before his death, introduced the Buff Columbian Wyandotte. The latter was ob- tained by crosses of Buff Brahmas, Buff and Columbian Wyandottes and R. C. Rhode Island Reds. The Standard requirements and disqualifications of the Buff Columbians cannot be other than the same as Columbian Wyandottes, with the exception of the ground or main color which should be buff instead of white. Of their utilitarian value ered Life,” England, April 14, 1909, writes of them and the first prize Cuckoo Wyandotte cock at a leading Eng- lish Show: ° “This was the first Cuckoo Wyandotte cock to grace a show-pen in recent years. Some years ago, I believe, they were introduced and exhibited, but in the rush for the more showy and high-priced varieties which have more recently been introduced, they seem to have been forgotten in recent years up to 1907. In that year, in experimenting for a new variety, this bird was produced. In the first season I showed him, and on every occasion he was a winner; but, apart altogether from Mr. Buffinton wrote: ‘They ma- ture as early as any of the Wyan- dottes, lay a large, hard shelled, dark brown egg. Nineteen pullets laid an average of 14414 eggs each, from January ist to December 31st, 1908. We have hens that weigh 814 pounds each.” Our records fail to show any place where Columbian Wyan- dottes have been exhibited, or any comments on their present stage of development. Birchen Wyandottes Birchen Wyandottes are being developed in England, but we have no authentic date regarding their origin and from the meagre re- ports received concerning this latest Wyandotte production, should judge they are not very close to Standard requirements yet, at least not in the females. This new variety when once — perfected should prove very at- tractive, as ‘Birchen color” is very striking and beautiful. The breast feathers of the male are black laced with white, the hackle and saddle feathers are black laced, edged with white, the wingbows are white, the wingbar should be composed of black feathers edged with white; primaries and secondaries and tail same as in Silver Wy- andottes. The female should be reverse in lacing to that seen in the Silver Wyandotte, namely, where the latter is white, the Birchen should be black, and the black lacing of the Silver is replaced by the white lacing of the Birchen. At present Birchen females will show excellent hackle feathers of black laced with white and fairly good breast feathers of black laced or edged with white; body, wing and back feathers are usually black or grayish black. Cuckoo Wyandottes Cuckoo Wyanaottes have been exhibited in England in the past few years. Mr. Hubert Wright in “Feath- E. L. Geisel writes: “Tt took me seven years to bring the Cuckoo Wyandotte up to its present state‘of perfec- tion Itis the result of a cross of the Barred Plymouth Rock male with a Silver Wyandotte female.” «a Sshow-pen fowl, I found the pul- lets to be such excellent layers that I determined to fix the breed, and class it amongst the Wyan- dotte family. Since then I have been more than rewarded. I have found the birds most prolific layers, most hardy, gaining ma- turity at a much earlier age than ‘ my Partridge Wyandottes, and al- together a most useful and profit- able utility fowl. During Decem- ber last I had two pullets in a pen by themselves, which were only hatched in April, and from December 3rd to the end of that month they laid between them 43 eggs. They make, in spite of their yellow legs, an excellent table fowl, with meat in the proper place. In shape they must re- semble the other Wyandottes’ type, and in marking and color the aim must be to get them to re- semble the Barred Rock.” The only Cuckoo Wyan- dottes exhibited in the United States, made their first appear- ance at the Madison Square Garden (N. Y.), Paterson, (N. J.) and Orange (N.J.) shows in 1909. They were bred by E. L. Geisel at his Wil- helmina Poultry Farm in New Jersey. The few birds ex- hibited show far better Wyandotte type than the English winners illustrated on this page, being more blocky and solid looking. They were large in size and looked ex- tremely rugged. In plumage they were bright in color and fairly well barred. They have a decided utility look, and if bred for market and not allowed to become a strictly fancier’s bird by breeding for color and narrow barring as the main object, they will make an excellent all round and useful fowl for the practical poultry raiser. The American Cuckoo Wyandottes were pro- duced by crossing a Barred Plymouth Rock male with a Silver Wyandotte female and by careful selection during the past seven years this new variety is fairly well estab- lished in type and color. AMERICAN CUCKOO WYANDOTTE CHAPTER XV Judging Wyandottes How Judging_is Done by[{the Score Card—Instruetions in Scoring as Practiced by Judges in the Show Room—Hints as to the Gause of Certain Defects D. E. Hale N SCORING Laced \Wyandottes as shown below, we refer to both the Silver and Golden Laced. The Goldens have the same markings as tne Silvers, except “just substitute golden-bay for white;” “powdered with golden-bay’” instead of “gray,” ete. The official score-card of the American Poultry Association, revised at the annual meeting of the latter, held at Niagara Falls, August, 1909, is divided into sections as shown under the scale of points. In order to give some idea what we are doing in ap- plying these valuations, etc., we must quote from the Revised Standard the scale of points as applied to Wyan- dottes. Scale of Points SYMMEty” eivsnsisisaassswisneiaters@ra vier scvaueieiewcviars 4 Weight: ciss1steeiaroakeorereesseeuweeers 4 Condition «2cssoscedwesexweges eeirew opaieids 4 Comb: execs as remesiakenersd ead onsets 8 Heaa—Shape 2, color 2 . ......ee eee eeee 4 Beak—Shape 2, Color 2 .........-000005 4 Hyes—Shape 2, Color 2 ...........20065 4 Wattles and Ear-lobes—Shape 2, Color 3 5 t ' Neck—Shape 3, Color 5 ............2005 8 ; Back—Shape 6, Color 5 .........eeeeees 11 i Breast—Shape 6, Color 5 ...........05- 11 Body and Fluff—Shape 5, Color 3...... 8 ! Wings—Shape 4, Color 5 ...........000 9 Tail—Shape 5, Color 5 ............0000 10 \ Legs and Toes Shape 3, Color 3 ...... 6 La 100 Symmetry The first section shown in the scale of points is Sym- metry. Webster defines Symmetry as “A due proportion to the several parts of « body to each other; or the union and conformity of the members of a work to the whole.” Some score cards show it as “Typical Carriage,” which is defined in the Standard as “expressing a characteristic, in color or form, representative of a breed or variety.” “Representative of a breea or variety,”—please remember that, as it is the main point we wish to make. This section always has been the subject of discus- sion, but if we study and understand the Standard require- ments of a fowl, stuuy each section, also their general outline, how the parts or sections should fit together in harmony, in fact, get the ideal shape fixed in our mind as shown in the Standard drawings and description. Then the minute we get a good look at a bird we know whether it is typical of the breed it represents or has symmetry. In Wyandottes we have a breed that is described as “short and round,” the “bird of curves, ete.” The head is short and round; neck ot male should be short with a full hackle, flowing so as to make a nice rounding con- nection with the shoulders or back. The shoulders are short and broad. Broad across the back and between the wings. The saddle feathers are abundant, giving the back a concave sweep to the tail which gives the desired short and round appearance. The tail should be broad at the base, the coverts being rather abundant nearly cov- ering tne main or stiff tail feathers, while the sickle feathers cover the tail in a graceful curve, keeping up the round appearance. The breast is broad and deep and again we have the round appearance. The body should be rather short and deep with a low set keel covered with rather loose feathering which gives it the round appear- ance. The legs too are short, rather stout and well spread; that is, so you can about pass the width of your hand between them at the hock joint. Now let us take the time and space to look at a speci- men and see what defects we want to look for when judg- ing the symmetry of a fowl. Is 1ts head too long and narrow, or aS some express it, “snaky?” [s it caused by the beak being long and straight instead of curved, or is it really the head? Is the neck too long and scantily feathered or as we hear it expressed in the show room, “not filled?” You need not worry about the neck being too short on a Wyandotte. If a male: Is the neck well arched and the hackle well feathered so that it connects or flows onto the shoulders or back in a graceful curve? Are the shoulders broad and flat, or are they narrow and high? Has he a nice broad saddle, well feathered, connecting with a tail that is well spread at the base or is it narrow and flat giving his tail a narrow pinched appearance? Is his breast full and round or narrow and flat? Are his legs good firm stocky legs, well spread so that you can get the width of your hand between them or are they long, narrow and knock-kneed? You will soon get so you will notice these good and bad points at a glance and make up your mind in an instant whether the specimen should be cut one-half, one, or one and one-half. A successful judge must think and act quickly. The minute you begin to hesitate as to a cut you begin to fail. Remember this section is worth four points and when you cut a bird one for symmetry you mean it is one- fourth or twenty-tive per cent to the bad. There is no system that we know of that can be successfully applied. The best way is to use your own judgment. You know tnis section is worth four points and when you are judg- ing symmetry, just forget that there is any otner section to the bird; no matter if some exhibitor does tell you that you are cutting twice. Judge the bird as a whole and deduct whatever you think is lacking from perfec- tion. If four points represents one hundred in this sec- tion, all right. If the bird is in your judgment twenty- five per cent off, cut it one point for symmetry. They tell us “it is like a two-edged knife, cutting both’ ways.” One for symmetry because the bird has a bad tail or bad breast and then cutting these sections again for shape when we come to them. That is not true. If symmetry is worth four points and breast is worth five for shape and tail four for shape, we are not cutting twice. If you do not use this section of symmetry in scoring your specimen, then you should deduct your total cuts from ninety-six instead of one hundred. Weight The standard weights were given the different breeds because it was found that they were at their best as a commercial product when at the weights specified in the Standard. The Standard has not been changed any in regard to Wyandotte weignts since 1883. It then said “deduct two points for every pound lacking from stand- ard weight.” If the bird is one-fourth pound under weight cut one-half point; if one-half pound light cut one point; if three-fourths of a pound light cut one and one-half point. Tne Standard also says, “In case of a tie the one nearest standard weight shall win.” Disqualifications and Shape Up to this point you have not found it necessary to take the specimen out of the cage. It might be well to take notice of a few things before doing so and save the extra work. “If the fowl’s comb falls over to wne side so as to come in contact with or touch the side of the head;” “If it has a decidedly wry or squirrel tail;” it is disqualified. If it has any of these disqualifications you will notice them at a glance when you are judging the symmetry of the specimen. If none, you are now ready to judge the bird’s shape. Walk up to the cage as quietly as possible and with- out disturbing the bird at on iP it an be helped; get your impression of the fowl’s symmetry and shape cuts in breast, back, tail, body, neck and legs and toes. If the THE WYANDOTTES bird is standing or crowded into a corner or crowded against the sides of the cege so that he is out of shape, gently reach in with your stick, not 10 poke him, but gently crowd him out into the cave, smooth his neck and back with your judging stick and it will, ninety-nine times out of a hundred, with such treatinent, . ct or pose in a natural manner. Then their symmetry shape cuts can be gotten quickly. In getting the shape ot a fowland cutting the differ- ent defects we proceed as follows: lf we think the neck is too long and “not filled,” or in other words, full of pin feathers, giving it w serawny ap- pearance, the cut is from one-half to one. Lf the back, which is worth six points for shape, is too long, too nar- row, too flat, saddle not filled, too narrow at shoulders, ete. we cut from one-half to three. If a crooked back is detected the bird is disqualified. Now look at the tail and see if it is carried at the right angle. Is it well spread and well filled? For example, a female’s tail should have seven feathers on each side. If you will look at the draw- ing you will notice that about one-half of each feather shows when viewed trom the side. ‘This is called a well spread tail from a side view. From the rear that tail if well spread would look like an inverted V. When viewed from the top or front it should look broad and full sloping from the saddle with uw concave sweep. Should there be an angle at the base and in front of the tail, it is probably carried too high and should be cut from one- half to one and one-half. Now the breast. lf the fowl has a narrow flat breast or one that looks immatured and not filled, it should be cut from one-halt to three. ‘Lhe breast is one of the much talked of sections on a Wyandotte and yet it does not seem to be given the attention it should when scor- ing. Remember une body should be short and rather deep. If too long, giving it a Plymouth Rock or Orpington shape, it should be cut from one-half to one and one-half. Look at the legs and toes before taking the bird out as wellas after. See if it is knock-kneed, bow-legged, too long in legs or has crooked toes. Knock-knees should be cut one-half to one. Legs too long are cut from one-half to one and one-half. Crooked toes are cut one-half point each. In looking at the wings, it is best to hold your cuts for shape until you have the fowl out of the cage. You should, however, see that the wings are-carried in a proper position and not slipped. By slipped wings we mean one where the primaries fall or hang down and are not “tucked up” under the secondaries as they should be. This is causea, sometimes by a feather or two being missing where the primaries and secondaries are con- nected and sometimes by a muscular weakness. It should be cut from one to three points, depending on whether it is one or both wings, as it will breed, and really should, in our opinon, be made a disqualification. There- fore, it should be cut hard enough to throw the speci- men out of the ribbons so as to discourage the breeding of such specimens. Now we are ready vo take the specimen out of the cage and examine it for color and other defects. Don’t reach in and grab it by one leg and drag it out, thus tak- ing chances on breaking wing feathers. Take hold of one wing, from in front, nzar the body, and you can turn the bird in any position you wish. Then lead it out of the cage and as you do so, with your other hand grasp its legs at the hock joint, letting the bird’s body rest on your arm. The fowl is thus held securely and comfort- ably and can be easily examined without injury. Condition The next section we notice on the score card is Con- dition. It is valued at four points. It is one of the most difficult sections on the list to explain in writing. No definite rule can be laid aown for cutting defects found under this section. The judge has here got to show his wisdom and “horse sense.” He has got to be familiar with the different diseases, the effects of freezing or frost- bitten sections, the effects of cuts, injuries, etc., dirty and broken plumage and whetner there is poor condition from over feeding or starving. Condition as referred to in the Standard means, “tne state of a fowl as regards health, cleanliness and order of plumage.” Some birds will catch a slight cold on being shipped to a show and just begin to show it. When judged in these ccses the 153 judge will generally consider the specimen, cutting it from one-half to one and one-half. If, however, the bird has a well-defined case of roup or other contagious dis- ease, it should at once be removed from the show room, and if the superintendent has not noticed it before the judge gets to it, the judge should notify him at once and have it removed. Frosted combs and wattles should re- ceive a cut of from one-half to two, depending upon whether they are just slightly frost-bitten, or whether they are festered. Soiled plumage that looks as if the exhibitor had made no effort to get the bird in good show condition, should be cut one to two points. If they look as if they had been cleaned up in nice shape and had become soiled in shipping to the show, the judge can be a little lenient with such a specimen. If the bird is too tat from over feeding to get it up to weight and has “gone down behind,’ as they say, it should get a cut of one to two points. Sealy legs. There is no excuse whatever for showing a bird with scaly legs because it is so easily cured. A good scrubbing with hot water and soap, then a little kerosene, lard, or vaseline applied twice a week for two weeks will cure the worst case that ever existed. ' Head Head is the next section, valued at four points, two for shape and two for color. (Beak and Kyes are valued at four points each, two for shape and two for color.) “Short and broad.” If too long and snaky, or beak is too straight cut one-half to one. If the eye (that is the iris) is not a bright red or bay it is off color. If 1c is one of that kind that are pearl, green, white or as they are sometimes called, ‘“‘fish-eyes,” they should be cut one and one-half at least. If they are just a pale bay with a yel- low or sort of a golden ring around the pupil, as is commonly seen, they should be cut one-half. If blind in one eye, cut one. If the eye has run out leaving only the socket cut one and one-half. The beak should be shaded from dark horn to yellow. Should it be either yellow or black, i.e..—solid black or solid yellow, cut one-half. The face, wattles and ear-lobes should be a bright red. Ear- lobes will cause the most trouble. If they are more than a certain per cent white, as shown in the Standard, they will be disqualified. Should they show one-quarter posi- tive enamel white they should be cut one to two. Re- member it says, “positive enamel white” and the bird is always entitled to the benefit of the doubt. A bird will quite often develop a paleness of the ear-lobes after being confined in a cage in a show room for several days. If by holding the bird’s head downward and rubbing the ear-lobe no circulation can be had or no flush appears in the lobe, it is safe to consider it a positive white or yel- low. The positive white referred to is one that looks like an enameled white and through which it is im- possible to get the blood to circulate. Face and comb will never be off color if the specimen is in good condition. »ometimes when too fst, the fowl will get dark red or pw ple around the face and comb. If you see such conditions, ycu can look and expect to find others, such as excessive fat, etc. lf such conditions are found, cut for color of face and comb, one-half to one. Comb This section is valued at eight ,o:nts. It is an im- portant section as shown by its high valuation; is hard to breed and get good and has quite a lot of defects to look for. It is called a “rose comb.” “It should be low, firm on the head; top, oval and surface covered witn small rounded points, tapering to a small, well-defined point at the rear, the entire comb and spike curving to conform to the shape of the skull. Here we have three disqualifications to look for, viz.. —‘Entire absence of point, lopped comb, ie., one that falls over far enough to come in contact with the fowl’s head, or so large as to obstruct the sight.” That latter means, that if you hold a fowl! so that you can look right at the point of its beak and cannot then see the fowl’s eye on account of the large or “beefy” condition of the comb, it disqualifies. A telescoped point, that is, one where the point seems to have been pushed or telescoped into the rear of the comb, should be cut two and one-half points. (See Fig. 3 Page 157.) Hollow centers in rose combs should be cut one-half to two. (See Fig. 2 154 Page 157.) Coarseness, irregularity and _ ill-shaped combs should get the same cut, ie.—one-half to two for each defect. Remember the point should conform to the shape of the skull. Sometimes we see a nice shaped comb but the point sticks straight out behind like the spike of a Hamburg’s comb (look in your Standard for a picture of a Hamburg head). Such combs on a Wyan- dotte would be cut one-half to one and one-half. A perfect shaped comb, but smooth on the surface, that is, having no rounded points, should be cut one-half to one. If the comb is good shape and well covered with the points but is too high and “beefy” it should be cut one to two points. You see there are a good many things to look for in connection with a comb and it does not take much to get a cut of two to three points. A comb that gets off with a cut of one or less is a good comb. Wattles and Earlobes They are worth five points; two for snape and three for color. The wattles should be “fine in texture and well rounded.” Once in awhile you will meet with a male wattle that is too long and not of good shape, perhaps a little coarse. This has to be cut one-half for shape. The ear-lobes should be well developed and smooth, not shriveled and drawn, yellow, etc. The color cuts are handled above under Head section. Neck Valued at eight points,—three for shape and five for color. The neck should be short, well arched with abundant plumage. In color each feather should be sil- very white, in tne Silvers, with a black stripe down the center of the feather giving a nice clear silvery white edge. If a male neck is found that is sun-burned, brassy, etc., cut from one to two and one-half. If too light, running white in under-color, cut from one-half to two. If females run too dark, cut trom one-half to one and one-half. If the white edging does not run all the way around a feather but leaves a black tip, cut from one-half to one and one-half. When the color begins to get too dark, as it does sometimes, you can look for purple bars, which are cut one-half to two. Cuts for shape will be found above, under ‘“‘Disqualifications and Shape.” Back Back has a valuation of eleven points, six for shape and five for color. The back or shoulders of the male should be a silvery white, while the saddle, which should be abundantly feathered and rise with a concave sweep to tne tail and should be laced. Each feather should have the silvery white edging, tnen the black stripe down the center con- forming to the shape of the feather and inside this black, a diamond shaped center of white. If the back is narrow across the shoulders, cut one-half to one. If too long from neck to tail cut from one-half to two. If feathers are broken or “not filled,” causing an angle or break at base of tail, cut one-half to one and one-half. If the back feathers that should be silvery-white, are brassy, sun- burned or bronze, cut from one to two and one-half. If saddle feathers are not well striped with black, cut one- half to one. If they show mossy or ticking in the white, cut from one-half to two. The under-color should be dark slate but we think a judge should be a little lenient on a light under-color on a male because it is claimed by good breeders of Silver Laced Wyandottes that it takes a light under-color in a male to breed good open lacing. Light under-color should of course be cut about one-half to one. The female’s back should rise with a concave sweep to the tail, with just a slight cushion. Backs too narrow at shoulders, cut one-half to one. ‘Too flat or straight from neck to tail, cut one-half to two. Too much cushion, cut one-half to one and one-half. Color of female back should be well laced, that is, each feather should have a black edging of even width conforming to the shape of the feather, surrounding a center of silvery-white. These white centers should be free from ticking or mossiness. Where these defects are found, cut from one-half to two and one-half. The black edging should be free from frosting or gray edging. Where found, cut from one-half to one and one-half . THE WYANDOTTES Under-color should be slate. If too light, cut one-half to one. Fail This section is the next handiest section in scoring a fowl. It is valued at ten points, five for shape and five for color. Under disqualifications we described @ squir- rel tail, which disqualifies, but neglected mentioning a wry tail. “A decidedly wry tail disqualifies.” Decidedly wry means one that is carried always on one side. Some- times when a specimen is confined in a small cage or crowded in with several others, causing the tail to be crowded against the side of the cage, itmay carry the tail first on one side and then on the other. This is not a “decidedly wry” tail and should be passed with a cut of from one-half to two. Pinched tails, etc., are de- scribed, with cuts, under “Disqualifications and Shape.” Absence of sickles in males should be cut one point each when judging parti-colored Wyandottes. Absence of main tail feathers on parti-colored Wyandottes should be cut one-half point each. A tail carried too high or approaching a perpen- dicular should be cut one point. Tail of males should be black, the coverts and sickles a beautiful greenish black, excepting the lesser coverts which should be laced with white edging. : The female main tail feathers are solid black while lesser coverts are laced with black. The male tail should be carried at an angle of fifty degrees and the main tail feathers should be rather short and well covered by the sickles and coverts. Breast This section is valued at eleven points. Six for shape and five for color. Now that you are handling the speci- men you may find the keel bone is crooked, which should be cut one-half to two. If so you will have to add it to the cut you have already made on breast shape, but in* “remark” column you should have your clerk mark the cut for crooked breast, and C. B., so the owner will know how much each was cut. It shows breast cut 1% in shape column and then under “remarks,” “3% C. B.” ‘The, owner can easily understand and know that it is cut one for shape of breast and % for crooked keel. The color of both male and female should be laced with beautiful.open laced feathers. Large white centers with a clean-cut black edging, same as back. Mossy centers and frosty edging should be cut from one-half to two and one-half. Here is a section where the lacing seems to “run out;” that is, it does not conform to the shape of or run all the way around the feather. The tip will be spangled with a black or brown tip while the rest is white, giving a Hamburg appearance. This is espe- cially so in old hens that were extremely open laced as vouete This defect should be cut from one to two and one-half. Body and Fluff : Body and Fluff is the next section; it is valued at eight points; five for shape and three for color. It is pleasing to know that breeders are getting body and fluff so well laced. Under the new Standard feathers on body are described as laced, the fluff being “slate pow- dered with gray.” Legs and Toes Legs and ‘oes are the last section named on the Score card as applied to Wyandottes and valued at six points,—three for shape and three for color. Too many breeders and exhibitors in speaking of legs refer to just the shank. They say, “there is a good yellow leg, etc.,” and that is right as far as they go, for the shank is part of the leg, but they should not lose sight cf the thigh. When you eat a chicken leg, you do not think of the shank, so why not think of the rest of the leg when looking at, or speaking of shanks. Yellow legs seem to be quite hard to get on Laced Wyandottes. Look out for feathers on legs. The Stand- ard now reads as regards Wyandotte disqualifications— Any feathers, stubs or down on shanks, feet or toes” will disqualify ; also “any unmistakable indications of feathers having been plucked from same.” Look for down, feathers or “stubs,” as they are generally called, THE WYANDOTTES on legs, toes, feet or between tl ibi . * : the bird if it has them. Seer ire cn etrmsG When you get a good strone colored, yello bh ; one that shows a streak of red pigment i. ie ae you can figure on a good strong breeding leg; that is, one that will get good yellow legs. Shanks “other than yellow” disqualify. But} again, we have to give the bird the benefit of the doubt and even though the legs seem a dusky yellow or approaching a willow, if they are yellow in any shade we have got to let them pass but they will be eut from one-half to two and one-half, _ Phe color cuts as explained in this article are as ap- plied to Silver and Golden Laced Wyandottes. Wings Wings are the next section we find. They are valued at nine points, four for shape and five for color. First we look at the position of wings and see if carried prop- erly. The wings should be carried a little loose thus giv- ing a broader appearance at the shoulder. The front of the wings should be well tucked into the breast plumage so as to carry out the rounded effect of the breast. _ Broken and missing feathers—‘For each broken or missing feather in primaries or secondaries of Buff or Parti-colored varieties where foreign color does not dis- qualify, cut one-half point each.” That means all Wyan- dottes except White and Black. So much for judging shape of wings. Now let us look at color. The wing of the Laced Wyandotte is as beautiful as it is difficult to breed and get good. The primaries and secondaries of both male and female are the same, viz.—‘primaries, black, lower edge white; secondaries, black, lower half of outer web white, with a narrow black edging, wider at tip, etc.” The wing coverts of the male should be “upper web, black; lower web, white, with a narrow black stripe along the edge that widens as it approaches the tip, forming a double .bar of laced feathers across wing.” Wing bows should be “silvery white,” and match the middle of the back. The wing bar was the cause of a lot of trouble to the breeders of a few years ago; they claimed the Stand- ard was asking an impossible thing; to bar a wing and lace in other = sections. The last Standard modified it some; so that now we can get them with cov- erts laced more on the order of the Polish. The female cov- erts and bows, or shoulders, should be “white, each feather laced with narrow lustrous greenish black.” These laced feathers should be free from ticking or mealy appearance, that is: small dark spots in the center CORRECT FLIGHTS FOR SILVER LACKED WYANDOTTES or on the _ white Upper bar of wing very faulty; lower bar of eac h feather. laced moderately well, and coverts show nice Where this mossy or ticking appear- ance is found, cut from one-half to two and one-half. Also look out for “frosty edging.” On Silvers that means a light colored or “frosty” edge outside the black lacing. Where found, cut from one-half to one and one-half. White Wyandottes In judging White Wyandottes, shape, comb, wattles, ear-lobes, legs and toes, are handled and cut just the same as in the preceding explanation of Laced Wyan- dottes. Their plumage should be “Pure White, web, fluff and quills included.” Notice the “Pure White.” We hear narrow lacing; shoulders fail in lacing. 155 arguments for a different shade of white, some even going so far as to say we should allow a “milk white.” ‘Milk white” surely isn’t “pure white.” “Milk white” runs from a blue white to a good rich creamy white. After you have judged your bird’s shape, look for color disqualifica- tions. “Red, buff or positive black,” disqualifies, the Standard says. The Standard also says, “Gray specks in any part of the plumage of white varieties in each sec- tion where found, cut one-half to two.” You will notice that it says, “positive black,” to dis- qualify. We have seen white birds disqualified for “eray specks;” so it is a point worth watching. Look out for the “gray specks.” Many feath- ers can be removed that show them: and according to my interpretation of the Standard it would not be con- sidered ‘‘faking.” In examining the specimen for other color defects look for creami- ness. This is caused mostly by the quill of the feather being full of oil, which is used up as_ the feather matures and the feather thus gets whiter. “Creaminess is cut from one-half to one and one-half in each section where found.” WYANDOTTE WING Showing severe defect of white in wing flight. One covert feather slipped out side to show black correct marking on upper web; lower webs on these coverts do not possess the nar- row lacing on lower web. Wing bars fairly laced; shoulders well laced. There is a differ- ence between cream- iness and _ brassi- ness. The latter will generally show only on the surface or outside of the feather. If you will raise these brassy feathers and look at the lower or under color, nine times out of ten you will find that part of the feather pure white. Brassiness may be caused by the weather; but is generally bred in the specimen and as it is so hard to breed out and so unsightly, it is considered a serious de- fect and should be cut not less than one and from that, to two and one-half in each section where found. In judging White Wyandottes, condition goes a long way. They are or should be well washed and rinsed. Look well to getting the soap out, as explained under “Condition” cuts. One would naturally think that White Wyandottes were easy to judge but they are just as hard as any other variety. A large class of White Wyandottes keeps a judge working from start to finish, Remember on this class you have a heavier cut for missing tail feathers, missing or broken sickle feathers, missing or broken wing feathers; as here we have a color disqualifi- cation. Partridge Wyandottes Here, too, you want to follow the explanation for shape cuts, also for comb, etc., as given under ‘“Disquali- fications and Shape of Laced Wyandottes” in first part of this chapter. The Partridge have no plumage color disqualifica- tions. We will first take up the male and study his color a little. ‘Head plumage, bright red.” This section is generally found pretty good. Eyes, face, wattles and ear-lobes are all red. Should the ear-lobes show any positive white, cut from one-half to two, depending on the amount in either or both lobes. Neck should be “pright red with a lustrous greenish stripe through each feather.” We want a nice even edging of red outside the black and extending all the way around the feather. Re- member purple barring will be cut one-half to two if found, and we also want a nice snappy red edge. “Ir- regular lacing or too heavy lacing should be cut one-half to one and one-half. The back is “dark red, saddle, red with black stripe through each feather, etc.” The 156 saddle should match the neck. Same cuts will govern excepting that back is valued higher and should it so happen that you find the same defect in back as in neck, the former will have to be cut a little more, because it is valued higher. The breast of the male should be “glossy black.” Quite often we find them showing some red in the breast or in poultry parlance called “splashed.” Some breeders claim these splashed breasts are their best pullet breed- ers but they are not what the Standard calls “black,” so we have got to cut them from one-half to one and one- half, depending on the amount of red or color other than black that shows in this section. Body and fluff should be black, or black slightly tinged with reddish-brown. This section will generally match the breast. If we find red in breast, we are very liable to find too much, tinged with red in body and fiuff and the specimen should be cut about one-half. Re- member this section is not valued as highly as the others and cannot be cut as hard. The wings have the primaries and _ secondaries. Black edged with red; coverts greenish black forming a bar of this color across the wings when folded, the bows being red and fronts biack. ; We have got to look out for a good shade of red, one that will match neck and back; a black that is free from purple bars, etc. Missing or broken flight feathers should be cut one- half each. The tail is black excepting the lesser coverts which may have a red edging. A greenish glossy black is preferable for sickles and coverts. About the only de- fect to be found here is purple bars which are to be cut one-half to two. Missing sickle feathers are cut one point each, miss- ing main tail feathers one-half point each. The thighs should match the body and fluff; while the shanks and toes are yellow or dusky yellow. In this variety you have got to look out for willow colored shanks and toes and cut them from one-half to one and one-half. The female’s comb, face, wattles and ear- lobes, eyes and beak are handled the same as the male. The neck of female is reddish bay with a penciled stripe through each feather, the red edging free from black. Back and breast call for a plumage of “mahogany- brown, penciled with black.” The common defect is ir- regular penciling causing a mossy appearance and should be cut one-half to one and one-half. Look sharply for a mahogany or reddish-brown ground color. When you get those that have a buff, penciled with dark brown, cut from one-half to one and one-half. Just study mahogany color a little, especially you who are complain- ing of the dark birds and you will see that mahogany is quite dark. If mahogany is darker than is desired in order to keep them from “going purple,” etc., then we should have the Standard changed. Wings call for “primaries to be a dull black with an outside edging of brown, while the secondaries should have the inner web black, outer web a mahogany red, coverts penciled like back and breast.” Irregular lacing and improper red color are the things to look for here and cut from one-half to one and one-half, when found. The tail should be black, except the coverts and two top main feathers which are penciled same as back. Missing flight and main tail feathers cut the same as described for male. Thighs should be penciled to match the body and fluff, and breast. Shanks and toes same as on male and judged the same. Buff Wyandottes Here again we see the same shape: Comb, etc., as first explained under the Laced Wyandottes. The Buff should be “one even shade of rich, golden buff.” The male’s neck, back, wing-bows and saddle should show a brilliant’ luster. There are several shades of gold, as we all know. The Standard tells us that lemon and cinna- mon are the two extremes of light and dark buff. There are several shades of each. A good even medium is what is desired and once you see it you will remember it. The bird should be even, i.e..—show the same shade of buff in all sections. Shaftiness is very objectionable, that is, the shaft of the feather will be a lighter or different shade from the rest of the feather giving a streaked appear- ance. This defect should be eut from one-half to one THE WYANDOTTES and one-half. Mealiness is another defect. It is a mix- ing of different shades of color giving a mossy or mealy appearance. It is cut from one-half to one and one-half in each section where found. . While most breeders of buffs claim they would rather have black than white in wings or tails, the Standard says, “both are equally objectionable,”—“Cut from one-half to the color limit where found.” It is no trouble to get good yellow legs on a buff so when you find willow or bad colored legs cut from one-half to two. Remember that the buff has one even shade of color in all sections even though a little too light or too dark, is preferred to one that is uneven, shafty or mealy. One more point in regard to Buffs. We see many that have the majority of feathers a fine golden buff, but mixed with them are some that have light or faded tips. * This is caused by these faded feathers coming in first, and the bird running in the sun, gets these bleached out by the time the later ones are matured, causing the mottled ap- pearance. These mottled birds should be cut one-half to two in each section when found. Silver Penciled Wyandottes This variety is penciled and laced in the same style as the Partridge with the exception that red, mahogany- brown, ete., are here changed to read, “silvery-white, sil- very-gray, etc.” Irregular lacing and penciling, purple barring in black sections and splashing in breast and body of male are scored just the same as in the Partridge. Columbian Wyandottes Here we have the latest addition to the Wyandotte family admitted to the Standard. You know what the Light Brahma color is, I think, and that the Columbian Wyandotte has the same color of plumage. In judging them, take the study on shape, comb, ear-lohes, eyes, ete., that we have had on the others. Head plumage for both sexes should be white. The neck of the male should be white up near the head but the hackle should bé striped. That is each feather should have a glossy black stripe through the center tapering as it approaches the point so that it will have a clear even white edge run- ning around it. The black stripe should extend at least, one-half the length of the feather. The female neck is similar, excepting that the laced feathers commence a little higher up on the neck. The wings of the male have “white bows, except the fronts which may be partly black; primaries, black,~ with white edging on lower edge of lower web; second- aries have lower portion of lower web white.” This gives the white wing bay. The female wing is the same, the back section white but occasional black in web of feath- ers not a serious defect. Solid black feathers in black dis- qualify. Main tail feathers should be solid black, excepting on the male, “the curling feathers underneath” may be white or black.” “Sickles ana coverts, glossy greenish black, lesser coverts edged with white.” Look out for purple barring and cut one-half to two if found. Look out for too much white in main tail feathers and if any, cut from one-half to one and one-half. The female’s tail should show the “two top main tail feathers edged and tail coverts edged with white.” Breast, body, fluff and thighs white or bluish white, where specified in the Standard. If creamy, cut one-half to one and one-half. Remember brass is a serious defect and gets cut no less than one. The Columbians have not yet attained the fine Wyandotte shape that some of the other varieties have, but are gaining fast. At present, they are with a few exceptions too narrow in all sections. Non-Standard Varieties _In regard to the non-standard varieties, history of which appears in this book, we will not try to tell you how to score them as they are not in the Standard. Their shape should be judged just the same as the others. We do not expect this chapter will make a judge of gous nor do we pretend to give you all the fine points : at come up. Space will not permit and the best thing o do is to study your Standard, which every breeder should have, and by reading and comparing your birds to the written description, you will get some idea, at least, as to what they, will ‘ Ns fie OF not, y. score or whether they are disqual et Wyandotte Heads Standard Type of Comb—Ideal Head—Shape of Wattles and Ear-Lobes—Type of Head an Index to the Type of Body —Portraits of Famous Prize-winning Wyandottes, Male and Female, Showing Standard Qualities, also Defects Franklane L. Sewell, Artist HEN the Wyandotte first engaged the atten- tion of American fanciers, it was decided that the new breed should have a different rose comb from that of the Hamburg, Dorking, or other breeds that possessed the . rose type of head-dress. published the description of the Wyandotte male comb as, “Rose, low and flat, firm and even on the head, rather oval in front and wide at the center and less pronounced of spike than in the Hamburg, the top surface evenly covered with small points.” In comparing the comb of the Wyan- dottes of that time (the early 80’s) with that of the Hamburg, we see that the Ham- burg comb was to be formed “square in front,” while the Wy- andotte comb was de- scribed as “oval in front.” The spike of \ the Hamburg was to : “incline upwards very a slightly.” The spike of i \ the Wyandotte was to have “less prom- macy ee ee ee inence of spike than dotte head. showing the typeof comb select. 2 the Hamburg.” As ed by American fanciers to meet the demand to the direction the for beauty, utility and adaptability to vary- spike was to take— ingyclimates; straight, outward, upward or downward _—the Standard is silent, although those who bred the Wy- andotte in the 80’s remember how varied our birds were in that respect. Many otherwise desirable birds possessed combs with the spike inclined more or less upward. The comb, however, that was preferred almost from the intro- duction of the breed, was of the form that was described as “rocker” shaped. It was only natural that strains recently crossed had a great many troublesome variations and défects from re- versions to differing types of combs. Single combs even to this day are not ex- tremely rare in many good strains. In the earlier days of the Silver Laced (orig- inal) Wyandottes a lumpy form, not dis- similar to the straw- berry comb of the Malay, was occasion- ally produced. In Fig- ures 2 and 3 are illus- trated several of the more undesirable for- mations that appear in Wyandotte combs where the most care- Fig, 2—Pen sketch of Wyandotte male head, showing a number of disfiguring de- fects. The crown is hollow and the comb is e A too loose and large in front, falling too heav- ful breeding is not ily over the nostrils, and the comb joins the done. The hollow spike too abruptly, the spike itself being too high. The head and beak are too straight and long, the wattles are uneven in length, wrinkled, coarse, and too large, and the ear lobes are wrinkled. center or crown of the comb, as it ap- pears in Fig. 2 wasa frequent defect of the early Wyandotte comb. Occasionally a comb was so large and so loose on its base that it fell over to one side. his defect is seldom seen in first-class Wyandotte breeding yards today. Figure 2 illustrates a very coarse head. The comb, The Standard first: over the nostrils, hangs too low and is too large. The rear terminates abruptly instead of tapering with nicely curved sides to the spike, and the spike itself turns up- ward, which, according to the present fashion, is an un- sightly defect. The head is too long and too straight; the beak too long and straight; the skull too flat and the brow too heavy, mak- ing the eye appear oblong. The wattles show wrinkles and are uneven in length. - Figure 3. illus- trates a defective comb found on a re- cently produced Co- lumbian Wyandotte. Just such a comb as this occasionally ap- peared among’ the earlier Wyandottes of other varieties. This comb fails seriously to express any of the Fig. oP en anes of comb spp ne _ j 18 rained surface, which in a correctly forme charming, coral like Wyandotte rose comb should be covered with effect that fanciers small rounded points. The structure of the desire. to see in 1 comb is coarse and lumpy and the spike pro- “rose” comb [+ {tudes from a hollow in the rear instead of : being developed from, a nicely formed oval forms only a beefy, shaped comb that tapers gradually, lumpy protuberance, devoid of the fine points that are desired over the upper surface. Across its center is an indentation; trom there backward the comb is almost smooth, showing only a grained surface. The spike protrudes from a hollow in the comb instead of the comb tapering at the rear of its oval form to a nicely formed spike. In Figure 4 a sketch of the female Buff Wyandotte head illustrates 4 comb terminating with the same de- fect. This comb is smooth along the center and shows the points along the sides only, while they should cover the entire top of the comb to form an attractive standard rose comb. The modern Wyandotte comb that is now the fashion and that is seen on the best birds, is rounded in front, oval on top, widest just in front of the center, firm and . fitting closely to the head, covered all over the upper por- tion that rounds to the sides with close- ly-set-together, small and short rounded points. The comb should taper in rounded form from the sides to the spike which should be of only moderate t length, in fact rather Fig. 4—Pen sketch showing top of female Short. The whole Wyandotte comb, which is smooth over the comb, spike included, center with points forming a row only along the sides. The spike is imbedded in ahollow Should follow closely at the rear instead of tapering properly. the curved form of the skull. Heads of Prize-Winning Wyandottes The principal characteristic noted in the majority of first-rate Wyandotte heads is their rounded form. The Standard of Perfection for the male puts it in just three words: “Short, round, broad.” As in most all birds the form of the Wyandotte head indicates the shape of its body and an expert thoroughly used to handling the breed could almost describe from these pictures of heads the remainder of each specimen. 158 THE WYANDOTTES BIE danke GROUP 1: HEADS OF SIX WHITE WYANDOTTE MALES, PRIZE WINNERS OF EARLIER DAYS No. 1:—The first specimen in the line of six Wyandotte heads in Group 1 was one of the earliest winners of first at the Boston show. His rather long head plainly tells the character of_his whole figure. It was not so rounded as most of the modern White specimens seen at our best shows. His head in many points resembles the Golden Wyandotte, No. 8, in Group 2, and the Buff Wyandotte head, No. 22, in Group 4, especially in the spike of the comb. No.1 and No. 8 show too much length, the “leader-hHike” spike extending backward too far, The top of the comb does not form a nice curve, but shows an angle formed by the flat top of the comb and the long spike. No, 2:—This is a photograph of a cock that' won first at Washington, New York and Boston. He was one of the earliest very compact birds and was the best rounded male that was shown about ten years ago. His head, like his back, was short, broad and full of curved lines. The comb fitted closely and followed the rounded contour of the skull, He had a. fine rounded face and round eye. His wattles and ear-lobes, how- ever, showed the coarseness which too often appears in aged Wyandotte cocks. No, 3:—We show here the roundest headed Wyandotte we have ever seen. -Throughout the entire specimen rounded lines emphasized the extreme ‘Wyandotte character, The entire comb was thickly covered with finely rounded points, while the arch- shaped top line added to the apparent roundness. The face shows round and free of wrinkles and the eye is large, full, bright and of noble expression. The beak is short, well curved and strong, and the head joins. the neck in strong, graceful lines. The wattles and lobes are just a good medium standard size, but are a trifle rough in texture. He was one of the win- ners at New York about three years ago and would have been placed higher up had his size been greater, It is often the case that these very rounded, tidy birds are not among the largest. the largest birds, as a rule, not being well rounded, No, 4:—This bird won first at Boston ten winters ago and was of a rounded, somewhat fluffy type. ‘The broad skull of this head was crowned by a comb well fitted with rounded points. The general form of the comb was more: flat, not s0 well. arched as the preceding one and it extended somewhat squarer and fuller in the front, being a trifle heavy over the nostrils. Combs completely covered with _smali points like this one and No, 3 are all too rare on- Wyandottes. So rare indeed are they that in many strains there has been danger of losing this characteristic of the true rose comb, Experts know that It is difficult to breed this character of comb and to get it well established, but it is charmingly attractive, both to the pro- fessional and the novice. The Standard describes such a comb as “covered with small, round points.’’ The watties of this bird it will be noted fold backward against the throat instead of ‘rounding outward as fanciers prefer. No, 5:—This is the head of a large cock from a heavy weigh- ing strain that won first in pen at Boston, 1901. In this pen were the females whose heads are shown in Groups 6 and 6, Nos, 28 and 29. There is too much roughness. of the comb and too much length of wattles. It is seldom that one obtains fine- ness of details with unusual size in the Wyandotte, No 6:—Here we have one of the winning cockerels at the St, Louis World’s_ Exposition. texture. The comb, however, is very lumpy and irregular, dis- figuring an otherwise attractive head. GROUP 2: HEADS OF SIX PARTI-COLORED PRIZE-WINNING WYANDOTTES No, 7:—This has the appearance of having a rather small head for a Wyandotte, The comb of this Silver cockerel, a win- ner at Chicago two years ago, is closer in grain and firmer than the White varieties breed. The skull is not quite so broad as on mest White birds. The comb is nicely shaped and fits neatly to the head, arching nicely over the top. It is a trifle flat in front, a litthke too close to the brows above the eyes and the points could be a little larger to advantage. The wattles wrinkle to bad effect near the front, No, 8:—The head of this Golden cock shows what would have been a first-rate comb 20 years ago, Five years previous to that the fashion of the “rocker comb’? demanded combs with shorter spikes which turned downward conforming to the rounded contour of the head. It is not that this comb.is not graceful, It is a handsome one, but it does not conform to the fashion of modern times. The face of this bird certainly looks deep enough. The wattles and ear-lobes add to the apparent depth, but are too long. At the corner of the mouth, where the face joins the root of the bill, there is a wrinkle, and a fold in the wattle extends below this, No, 9:—This bird is very coarse in comb and the face and wattles are wrinkled. The comb and wattles are both too large; the former spreads out and droops in front of the eyes at both sides and extends too far forward over the beak. In selecting the show points of Wyandottes, the fanciers have all along kept in mind utility as well as beauty. They have bred the comb to a charmingly attractive ideal, but they have also aimed to make it safe and comfortable. in all conditions and pimencee hence this practical fowl has a compact, close-fitting comb. No. 10:—The front of the face of this bird is unusually long and the comb joins the head almost entirely forward of the eyes, giving it a tipped forward appearance. In the head we find just the opposite to the preceding one. Here there is a small contracted comb, only grained over like the surface of the face and wattles instead of having small points. The spike shows a very uncommon, abrupt, artificial turn downward. The set far back in the. face; the wattles and ear-lobes are of nice set back far in the face; the wattles and ear-lobes are of. nice texture. The cockerel was young, but the close, hard quality of the plumage suggests that the bird would always be of a too slender type for true Wyandotte shape. These three heads of Golden Wyandotte males, Nos, 8, 9 and 10, are as varied a group as could be found among winning specimens, but they partially reveal to the experienced breeder a few of the varied lines through which this magnificent variety has been produced. No, 11:—There is another richly colored variety, the Part- ridge, that approaches tke rounded ideal for which breeders Strive. . We present here the head of a well rounded, stocky cockerel nearly approaching show form, but somewhat short in hackle feathers, which gives his head a narrow appearance. The head promises very well. The comb arches well over the skull and the wattles and ear-lobes are shaped into fine form. The comb presents a common fauit in that it is not well filled on top with the desired little points. The spike will grow yet 4 Mot and make a fine appearance as it turns closely over the ack of the head. This cockerel has a splendid eye, which ts fine in shape and expressi and look stronger, D on. The bill might be a trifle shorter No. 12:—A photograph of a famous Silver Penciled cockerel feten not long before he started his almost unbeaten career of ee first at London Dairy and the Great International at Me etc., etc. He was a bird of unusual spirit and striking in- ory uality. His Yorkshire owner at the time remarked to me: mtere is scarcely a fault, only his comb is a bit ‘spoikey’.” ae bird was a wonderful, lusty fellow with a rare, truly rose- He tee ee plsomning with finely grained points over y : great number ne pike was somewhat overgrown as were ad made, anciers well know the great caution required in ne the growth of such a lusty, vigorous cockerel lest the comb be overgrown as it seems to fairly spring with developing It is a beautiful proportioned. head; the eye and beak are fine and the wattles are of rice’ points, due to the vigorous growth the bird | THE WYANDOTTES 159 GROUP 3: life. The wattles and ear-lobes are regular and well shaped and have grown as large as desirable, The face, eyes and beak are those of a champion. No. 13:—One of the finest shaped and most symmetrical Wy- andottes that America ever produced. He won the National Wyandotte Club special for best shaped male at Madison Square Garden and was afterwards used as one of the principal models for the 1905 Standard ideal. The wattles are a trifle over devel- oped for the age at which this photograph was taken and hang rather straight instead of curving nicely forward. Aside from this too common fault, the study is remarkably near ideal in general form, 2: peculiarity in the front part of the comb and one that was in a measure transmitted to a few of his off- spring, was the lump in the center of the front of the comb over the nostrils. This was remarkable as it was located just where most combs lack substance and are often hollow. Nos. 14-15:—These pictures illustrate combs with rather flat FIVE WYANDOTTE MALE HRADS tops and undeveloped spikes. Below their combs the head points, wattles and lobes are ordinarily good, No, 14 being the better of the two. No. 16:—The head of a strong, old Silver Laced cock. He is rather coarse in comb, wattles and lobes and the grain of the face and lobes is very rough, The expression of the eye from the angular shape given by its lids is very displeasing. A com- parison of this eye with that of Nos. 3, 6, 11 or 12 will plainly illustrate how a head might displease a judge. The head joins the neck in good Wyandotte fashion and the beak shows un- usual strength, _ No, 17:—A good example of a medium old cock. While this is about the limit in size for a good Wyandotte type of comb and is a trifle heavy over the front, it arches well and con- forms nicely to the rounded shape of the head at the rear. The bird’s face and beak are well formed. The wattles are much too long. The head joins well to a grand neck, GROUP 4: No. 18:—It is perhaps as difficult to find specimens of the Buffs with fine combs as any of the other varieties, although in head and face they are generally very well formed. In No, 18 we have a neat head, well rounded skull, bright expression of eye and well-formed beak, wattles and lobes. The comb sets on the head in a pleasing way, directly above the eye. Three points of the comb appear larger than the rest and give an ir- regular effect that mars the grace of outline on this fine young cockerel’s crowning ornament, No. 19:—A head of an old cock that had grown in the broad, cobby form that Wyandottes are famous for. This head is broad and short and there is room on it only for a comb also short. The points do not cover it well in front and they are rather few and coarse. The wattles appear thick and leathery and the lobes are set on rather clumsily, No. 20:—This bird was a winner of first at one of the most important poultry exhibitions and in all but comb was a grand specimen. In this section he certainly was unconventional. There was no view of it we could take that would not show it up as monstrous in its divergence from Standard fashion. It was hollow at the center, lopped at both overgrown sides and fitted about as neatly an an Angora tam o’shanter, It was a rose comb, the real old-fashioned genuine kind, but it con- HEADS OF FIVHK PRIZE-WINNING BUFF WYANDOTTE MALES formed to none of our modern Standard types. Comparing it with No. 13, one sees how very far it is from the accepted ideal, It might be noted that the brow hangs low over the eye, showing but half the eye proper. No, 21:—It is remarkable what one finds on many first prize birds. Here the surface of the comb is quite opposite to that of No. 20,’although the structural divisions of the comb appear similar. The surface of this cockerel’s comb resembles the grain on its wattles. The form of the head and shape and ex- pression of the eye and form of the beak all appear first-rate, the lobe is well-shaped and hangs neatly, but the wattles, espe- cially the farther one, look irregular and puckered in front. Rose combs with this smoothly grained surface have appeared frequently, lately in crosses of the Wyandotte with Pea-combed Asiatics when producing the Columbian or Ermine variety. It is probably most common among the newly-made varieties. No, 22:—This last study of a male head presents a partial front view of the head of a winning cockerel at Boston. It il- lustrates overgrowth of the sides, while the points in the center of the comb have not developed even as much as the others, which makes a low center. The long pendulous wattles are much too long for a young bird, Heads of Female Wyandottes There is no question that the experience of many breeders has proved that too much reliance has been placed in the prepotency of a male with fine head points when placed with females very ordinary or even inferior in this section. Especially in the judging of breeding pens, we have frequenly noticed that little attention must have been paid to the combs of the females. The comb of the female being smaller and less noticeable, it is sometimes looked upon as of less consequence in a show fowl, but in fact the female’s head-dress is equal in im- portance to that of the male and if the size of the comb is to be kept under control it will be found that the fe- male will be most valuable in governing this matter. The Standard describes the head of the female in a way that gives particular emphasis to the “crown” or top of the head above the eyes. In the very fleshy, loose-feathered type of Wyandotte, that show an over-tendency to the Asiatic form, the brow is often built out with loose flesh. This is not what is desired, as it gives a coarse expression to the eye. It is the skull that is desired to be broad. It should be mod- erately fleshed over, neither bony and too lean, nor fleshy and fat, but just nicely rounded to look full and neat. The Standard description of the Wyandotte eye is “oval.” The eye proper is round, the opening of the lids in front of the eye is slightly elongated, but one seldom finds eyes in first-class Wyandottes that appear far from round. The heavy brows of some aged birds do, how- ever, give an oval appearance to the opening of the lids. As a matter of fact, the nearer round the eye appears the brighter the expression of the eye and the healthier the birds are found to be. 160 THE WYANDOTTES GROUP S: No. 23:—This is the head of a Golden Laced hen at New York, a winner of about ten years ago. It is a good medium standard-shaped head with the exception of the comb, which is too high at the rear and the spike turns upward. The ear- lobe is wrinkled, but it is an excellent head in the shape of the skull, face, eye, beak, throat and wattles and the way in which the head joins the neck shows good strong Wyandotte character. No. 24:—A first-prize winning Silver Laced hen in 1899, The head appears a trifle small in proportion and joins a neck that is too long and too slender. The fore part of the comb sinks in instead of curving in a moderate arch over the head and the spike is very short. The face is also short, but the beak not being thick does not give the compact, strong look to the front of the head. The lobes are rather small. Nos, 25-26:—Two views—side and front—of a Silver Laced head that appears somewhat narrow in the skull. The comb is much too large and branching and not compact enough to fit neatly to the head. It is indifferently set on the head. The wattles are well shaped, but the eye has a nervous expression. HEADS OF SIX DIFFERENT PRIZE-WINNING GOLDEN AND SILVER WYANDOTTE FEMALES No. 27:—This study is rather curious for a Wyandotte. The head is far too slender and undeveloped for a Wyandotte pullet of her age. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the breed is that at all ages the birds are plump and rounded. When one breeds into the tall stilty races that are suggested by this pullet’s head and neck, to make short cuts to clear-cut, open lacing, the penalty paid in the sacrifice of shape is very evident. This head is made up of angular lines. There is a cruel expression about the eye and the skin of the throat shows, being covered only by the diminutive gullet plumage from the smal] ear-lobes fully half way down to the base of the neck. The head is joined to a very straight gamey nec.° No, 28:—This hen was a winner at Chicago two years ago and came through a line that has a record of the purest ai.d best blood for considerably over twenty years. She is a full, round-bodied type. The comb has grown too large and coarse and the expression of the eye is much the worse for age. T-e lids drooping around the eye give it a very sleepy look, The broad rounded skull and the wattles and lobes are of good form for a hen of her age. GROUP 6: HEADS OF FIVE PRIZE-WINNING WYANDOTTE FEMALES Nos. 29-30:—These heads show a tendency toward the Cochin type—a shape that frequently passed pretty well when over- sized Wyandottes were not so critically judged for fluffy lumage and coarse make-up. The front of the face of No. 29 s rather long and the wattles are too low. The large head and broad throat of No, 30 have a coarseness that reminds one more of Cochin blood that the graceful lines of the Wyandotte. No, 31:—This head also shows the rather fluffy type of Wy- andotte. However, there is a neatness of contour about this head that amounts to elegance. The skull and brow are turned to a finish. The comb shapes up over the head in an easy, gentle curve. The face is full enough, the eye, although under a full brow, is bold enough to show round and bright. The wattles and lobes balance nicely, although the wattles should be more rounded out in front, Many consider such a full throat somewhat overdone. The head joins the neck with true Wyan- dotte curves. No, 32:—The_ study of this Columbian Wyandotte head re- calls the many defects that the persevering fanciers of this new variety have met, combining, as was necessary, different types: of head and comb. No_ experienced fancier would be disap- pointed when the hoped for rose comb took various shapes, showing many forms considered sadly defective. Still, it_is truly remarkable how with only a few crosses quite good Wy- andotte forms of comb have already been obtained on the Co-| lumbians. Combs lacking development of points on top and, poorly developed spike at the rear, have been among the com-' monest defects. This head is a fair example of what has been obtained with second and third crosses. Reversions persist and the correct form can only be established by persistently select- ing and mating the proper birds until reversions will be to Steneaed type and the proper shape becomes a habit in the No, 33:—This is an excellent head from a Buff Wyandotte’ pullet and shows a well filled skull, fine expressive eye, strong’ beak, well formed face, neatly rounded wattles and well race \ lepers ane ee ee in foe ee to the boldly arched neck. is carrie - t's! shontd be hi tine show en. evel as a Standard-bred pulle ne MONEY-MAKING POULTRY INFORMATION It does not make any difference how you are conducting the poultry business—on a town lot, farm or special plant— RELIABLE’S POULTRY LIBRARY contains valuable ideas for you. You are in danger of losing money if you do not know how the business of the most successful poultrymen is conducted, how the fowls are selected and fed to produce an extra supply of eggs during the winter, how their houses and appliances should be built, how the chickens; ducks, geese and turkeys are reared on a money-making plant of similar size to your own. All this valuable information and more is contained in the thirteen _ teference books of Reliable’s Poultry Library. Successful Poultry Keeping . - - $1.00 Artificial Incubating and Brooding - - - .50 Barred, White and Buff Plymouth Rocks - - 1.00 Wyandottes - - - - - - - 1.00 Leghorns - - - - - - - 100 Aslatics - - . - - - : -50 Eggs and Egg Farms - - - - - - .50 Poultry Houses and Fixtures - - - : 50 Chick Book - - . - - . 50 Ducks and Geese - - - . : - 75 Turkeys - - - - - - - - .75 Bantam Fowl - - : - - - 50 Reliable Poultry Remedies - - - - - .25 The Reliable Poultry Journal Publishing Company, QUINCY, ILLINOIS, U. 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