Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/americanstandardOOIock THE AMERICAN Standard of Excellence. AS REVISED BY THE POULTRY FANCIERS OF AMERICA, AT THEIR CONVENTION HELD IN NEW YORK, Feb., 187a. GIVING A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF ALL THE KNOWN VARIETIES OF FOWLS. Containing; an Essay on Breeding Prize Birds for ExMMtion. BBC. SKC'Y OF THE CONN. STATE POULTBY SOCIETY. HARTFORD, CONN.: Wm. 3HE- IjooIsl^v^oocS.- 1871. SF Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1871^ By William H. Lockwood, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. PKEFAOE An American Standard of Excellence has long been needed in this country, and in presenting this work to the public the compiler does not pretend that it is the work of experience altogether, but the combined wisdom of the poultry fanciers of America, and he believes that he is sus- tained by them. The Connecticut State Poultry Society adopted the fol- lowing resolution at their Annual meeting, February 21st, 1871 :— Resolved, That the Society adopt the Standard of Ex- cellence as revised by the Convention assembled in New York, Feb. 15th and 16th, and published by William H. Lockwood, as their standard. Respectfully, W. H. L. A. The Comb. B. " Face. C. " Ear Lobe. D. " Wattles. E. " Hackle. F. « Wing Bow. G. " Breast. H. " Wing Coverts. I. « " Secondaries J. The Wing Primauies. K. « Hock. L. " Eluff. M. » Thigh. N. " Leg. 0. " Tail Coverts. P. " Tail. R. « Sickle Feathers. S. " Saddle Feathers, Breeding Prize Fowls. HERE have "been so many and such bare-faced frauds and deceptions practiced, and extravagant statements made by unprincipled persons inter- ested in the sale of fancy poultry, that we are not at all surprised that many of our honest-minded farmers look on the whole thing as a stupendous fraud and unmit- igated humbug, and cannot be induced to embark in the enterprise of breeding any other than the old and well known, and often really good specimens, of common barn- yard fowls. The reason for this is largely clue to the practice many of our breeders have of selling disqualified birds, a prac- tice which cannot be too severely condemned. Every breeder should make it a rule never to allow any but a first-class fowl to leave his yard alive. Far better is it to send them "to pot" than, for the sake of a few dollars, dispose of birds that are not up to the standard, for un- principled persons have secured such birds and advertised far and wide that they have specimens of so-and-so's cele- brated strain, and put off worthless fowls to honest men, who, when they find that the produce of a pair of birds 6 THE AMERICAN which may have cost them ten or twenty dollars are no better than common barn-yard chicks which he would gladly sell for fifty cents each, naturally conclude that it is a first-class imposition, and lose all confidence in the stories told of the real excellence and superiority of pure- bred fowls. "Honesty is the best policy" in this as well as in all other kinds of business, and the breeder who has a reputa- tion for keeping and selling pure stock that can be relied on, and will fill an order by letter with as careful attention as he would if the purchaser were present, will have little trouble in disposing of what birds or eggs he may have to spare. We propose to briefly give a few hints on the rearing and management of poultry for exhibition ; and first, it is supposed that any one about to engage in the business, either on a large or small scale, has suitable accommoda- tions for the number and kind of fowls he desires to raise. We know that pure-bred poultry can be raised with great satisfaction, and also be made to pay in dollars and cents ; but much must depend upon the facilities, experience, and knowledge which the person has who undertakes it, and more upon the breed which he chooses to commence with. As in other business, one may fail where another will suc- ceed, when, so far as advantages are concerned, neither can be said to be the better ; but one has energy, foresight^ and a natural love of the work, while the other may not have any taste in this direction, or an eye that will enable him to recognize the fine points that the other will readily perceive. It is necessary, to ensure success in rearing pure-bred STANtoAM) OF EXCELLENCE. 7 poultry, that a place be provided where fowls may be kept entirely separate from other varieties, and also so that a few extra fine ones may be separated from the rest of the flock. It is practically established that the conditions of the greatest productiveness require that only a limited number of fowls shall be kept together in confinement, in order to get the best results from them, and the most eco- nomical way is, to have but one breed or variety on any one place. To house several varieties in one locality, and provide separate runs for them, enclosing sufficient area to enable them to thrive, requires an outlay for buildings, for fencing, and for real estate, which, added to the cost of good birds, will show any reflective person that the estab- lishing of a poultry farm for blooded stock requires con- siderable capital. The labor of feeding and caring for a large number of fowls in separate runs is very great, and has to be charged directly against the fowls in making any estimate for profit. They also require much watching to see that the varieties do not run together through some ac- cident, to discover the first signs of incipient disease, and if of a contagious nature to prevent it from spreading. This watchfulness and care cannot be delegated to any but a person who takes great interest in the fowls, and in a large poultry-breeding establishment any relaxation of it will be followed by disaster. A well organized poultry farm requires as much of system in its management as a factory. When we take into consideration the interest on the capital invested, the amount paid for food and labor, it will be seen that the prices of blooded poultry must rule considerably above common stock to pay for its keeping, while to make the business remunerative, the breeder will 8 THE AMERICAN require for his birds the prices which now astonish so many that are only accustomed to barn-yard fowls. Good birds will continue to command good prices, and if it be practi- cable to breed poultry on a large scale, it will probably prove remunerative. To obtain any marked success in poultry exhibition it is necessary that the scientific theory of breeding should be clearly understood, if he desire by his own exertion to make any improvement in the work he undertakes ; for he is a poor poultry-breeder who is content to let his favorite variety remain exactly as he found it, without any attempt to improve its beauty or actual value ; an intelligent mind is necessary to success, and one should have a definite ob- ject before him, and not rest satisfied until that object is attained. We understand by the term pure bred, a bird that re- produces its own likeness true to form and feather. (With one exception games may be bred and throw different colored feathers, and still be game.) By breeding from birds which show any marked feature, stock is obtained of which a portion will possess that feature in an increased degree ; and by again selecting the best specimens, the special points desired may be developed to almost any de- gree. Any peculiarity of constitution, 'such as constant laying, or frequent inclination to sit, or the reverse, may be developed and perpetuated, by taking time and giving care and attention. In fact, within certain limits there are hardly any bounds to what may be effected by the scientific experimentalist. We see no reason, and have no doubt, that by careful selection and perseverance a breed of any desired color might in a few years be produced combining STAJVOARQ OF EXCELLENCE. 9 the excellent flavor of the La Fleche, the prolificacy of the White Leghorn, and the hardihood of the Cochin, the cocks of which would weigh 20 and the hens 15 pounds each. But to obtain such a result it must be systemati- cally sought. It is folly for any one to commence " poultry fancying" with inferior fowls, and great care should be exercised, if the person is unacquainted with the points of a fine fowl, to buy only of reliable breeders, men who are well known and who have a reputation to sustain ; such men usually charge a good price for their stock it is true, but then the stock will be good, which is by far the most important point. It is important to know that the cock is not related to his hens ; and there should be a year's difference in their ages ; the strongest and healthiest birds are produced from a cock a year old mated with a hen two years old. There is only one objection to this, and that is, where prize birds are bred and it is desired to get a larger number of pullets than cocks ; thus mated there will generally be a much larger number of the latter, on this account some breeders prefer a cock two and the pullets one year old. We do not claim that this rule is unfailing, or that good chicks cannot be got where both parents are of an age ; in this case both should be fully one year old. Pullets are good for breeding up to four years of age, though the chicks are not apt to be as healthy and vigorous when the mother is of this age ; and when a cock has seen two years, unless it is a very fine bird of a rare breed, we advise that he go " to pot." It is destruction to breed fron members of the same family, or where there are several broods in the same yard; to keep on promiscuously inter- 10 THE AMERICAN breeding, is equally so. Great care should be taken where a strain has been brought up to a high state of excellence, about introducing new blood, and it is no new thing to have the entire produce of the year ruined by so doing. The most extreme care must be taken when a new cock is thus introduced, to ensure that he is of good pedigree as well as a perfect specimen in outward appearance of the breed to which he belongs. The male bird has the greater influence upon the color of his progeny, and upon the comb and "fancy points," while the form, size, and useful qualities are principally derived from the hen. It is very desirable to get as nearly a perfect bird in both sexes as possible, but it frequently happens that a cock which would not win a prize on account of being un- der the standard in point of size and inferior in the show- pen, if his color, plumage, and comb are perfect, and he be active and lively, he may make a first-class bird for breed- ing purposes if mated with good hens ; and a hen may, on account of a faulty feather or two, be condemned, when, if of good size and shape, she may bring a fine brood which will possess the fine points to perfection, or as near it as may be. Never breed from either bird when faulty in comb, or bad in color, or small in size for the breed, or ill shaped, for they will invariably produce chicks of a very poor order for exhibition. As a rule the cockerels will more resemble the father, while the pullets follow the mother ; a knowledge of this fact will save time in "breed- ing back" to the original strain, and much disappointment in the effect of the cross ; for instance, if it be desired to increase the size, a cross with a hen of foreign breed should be employed, and the same if we wish to introduce a more STANftAfR® OF EXCELLENCE. 11 prominent breast, or any other peculiarity of shape ; but if it is the plumage which is to be modified, it is the male bird which should be introduced. We give a brief summary of the manner in which chick- ens intended for exhibition should be managed, from the egg to the show-room. We have tried it, and know that if our directions are followed success will be attained. Be sure that your eggs are from a pure breed and new laid ; they ought not to be over two weeks old to make lively, healthy, vigorous chicks. If they are a month old it will not pay to raise them, if your object is to raise birds for exhibition. Set the eggs as soon after the 1st of Feb- ruary as possible, so as to have them ready for the early shows, and do not put over eight eggs under a hen. Six chicks when partly grown are as many as an ordinary hen can cover and keep them warm during the chilly days of March and April. Make the nest by filling a tub or box six or eight inches deep with wet earth, hollow out a place with the hand suitable for the nest, place chopped straw cut in short pieces an inch deep over the earth. Have it in a retired place, where neither fowls or persons will mo- lest the sitting hen. See that she comes off regularly every day for food and drink, with which take care to have a good supply within her reach. Whole grain is the best, and pure water a requisite ; have a dusting place where she can find it, and let her alone the rest of the time. On the 21st day, and if the eggs set were all fresh laid, within a few hours of each other the chicks will hatch out ; do not molest them at all, let nature have its course ; if any are too weak to emerge from the shell they will not be worth helping, better let them die and have the room for 12 THE AMERICAN those that are strong. When 24 hours old, feed them on the nest with equal parts of stale bread, crumbs, and the yolk of hard boiled eggs wet with milk ; have a coop pro- vided suitable, and put the hen and chicks in it. Have it made so as to be secure from storm and wind, and so as to allow free egress and ingress to the chicks ; if possible, have it near a grass plot, so that the chicks can eat freely of grass, which will make them thrive ; feed often, never allow any food to remain ; feed the first week oatmeal, winch is the best food ; feed a little minced meat each day till three weeks old, after this feed Indian meal and pota- toes boiled and mashed, with wheaten grits or screenings, and a plenty of green food. Never allow them to roost until they are at least three months old. Separate the poor birds from those you intend for exhibition, and keep the cockerels and pullets separate till two weeks before the show ; a week before this feed equal parts of buckwheat and hemp-seed, or a little linseed meal added to their food daily for a week, to give a lustre to the plumage. Add a little Douglass' mixture to the drinking-water occasionally, and also a little pepper to their food as often as once each week. Two weeks before the show match up the birds and put them in a coop together so that they may get acquaint- ed, and watch them awhile to see that they do not quarrel, and thus injure each other's plumage ; feed them a' little meat daily, as they will peck each others quills sometimes to get at the blood in the pith if they are not supplied with some kind of animal food. Keep them in a warm, dry place, and keep that place scrupulously clean. Give them plenty of pure water. It is rarely that birds will be fit for exhibition before they are six months old. Great care STAN