THE LEGHORN FOWL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1261, 30 April 1896, Page 28

THE LEGHORN FOWL.

The f ,‘lowing notes on the above fowl are from the pen of Mr F. Norman, the well-known judge of that breed : Leghorns, as their name implies, originallycaine from Italy, having been in the first insntice introduced into America by ships ' lading between the port of Leghorn and that c -natty, and when first brought to England were known as an American breed. Both White and Brown Leghorns were imported into England some 2d year- - , ago, and until of late years were the only colours shown. Now we have blacks, cuckoos and mottles from Italy; Duckwing and l’ilc Leghorns produced, in England, the latest variety being Buff Leghorns from America. All of these varieties possess the same characteristics of the Leghorn family, being wonderfully good layers, hardy and quickly maturing fowls. .Many Leghorn pullets will commence laying at -Id, mouths old if well fed and brought, up on a good run. It is not, however, desirable for the pullets to lay so early, as such precocity interferes with the ultimate size of tire fowl ; but with such early maturing fowls one could get three generations in a year if de-3ircd, so prolific are the Leghorns. They do well in confinement, and if their wants are attended to will thrive and lay remark;.!'!'/ well. But like the Hamburg they delight in liberty, searching the fields fur and near for insects. They are always lively and active, and as a rule in such conditions are not prune to disease ; ir did! and moping you may bo sure something is physically wrong with them. As egg producers there are few fowls, if any, to bunt them, the eggs being of medium size, and of good tlivour. 1 have known of a pen of live White Leghorn pullets in a yard of 20 feet by 17 feet average 190 eo-gj p r bird in the year, and these of larger Az: than the average eggs laid by this breed. Taking into account, the size of the egg.; I his nmy be an exception to the ride. Thu pullets mentioned were bred from a hen that laid 180 eggs the year p:vvh udy. There is nob the slighted doubt but that neglecting to bred from the best layers will in time reduce tho number of eggs laid annually. Of this face experienced breeders are aware, but mo ! breeders go in for show points, and in come cases the lliyff fords are not

always the best layers, many of the prizewinning strains being not so prolific a.s formerly. As a table bird many people run the Leghorn down on account of its size being small ; it certainly is not to be compared with the Dorking or Indian Game as a table bird, the latter varieties being bred for tho table, but are also indilferent layers, while tho Leghorn has been bred for egg production ; yet the Leghorn, if generously fed, will be found to be very good eating, the meat being juicy and fine in quality. As a show bird the Leghorn is very popular, and at most shows tho cla.scs are largely lilied. The keen competition with these birds at shows has led breeders to try and improve their show points. Many of the White Leghorns are apt to get sunburnt if at liberty, and the lobes also get discoloured. To improve the colour and size and get large white ear lobes, both white and black Minoreas have been used. In the browns, BlackRed Game and Partridge Cochins have been crossed with to get colour, the results being at tho expense <f shape ; many, besides, have sooty legs and feet. The tendency of late years lias been to breed back to the original type and shape In shape the Leghorn is a short backed cobby bird, very full in cheat and with a tail carried well up and very full in feather. A Leghorn cock should be throughout very full in feather ; the tail feathers being very long with plenty of side hangers ; comb, large, of line quality ; not so large or so coarse as that of the Minorca ; face line in texture, which should be a good bright red, as free Tom hairs or feathers as possible (a plucked face should be passed by the judge) ; ear lobes, medium size, almond shape (some breeders like a very large lobe, but this soon runs into the faco ; it is far better to have a medium sized lobe of good shape and colour than those very large lobes) ; legs and feet a bright yellow, tho brighter the better. In the coloured varieties the beak may bo horn colour or yellow ; in White Leghorns tho colour should be a clear pearly white, as free as possible from straw colour. The Brown Leghorn cock should have a rich red hackle with a black stripe in tho bottom feathers ; breast, thighs, fluff and tail a rich metallic black with plenty of sheen ; back feathers a deep crimson ; the saddle feathers orange red, a few having a black stripe in them similar to tho neck hackle; wing bar a good black. Some Brown Leghorn cocks have a little rust oil fluff and under tail. The legs and feet a good oral) ,e yellow. Thu c dour of t lie hen should be many good liens are pencilled in hackle ; back a soft golden partridge colour as free from rust as posiole ; breast, a salmon red. In the best coloured liens there is a tendency to lie light in hackle and breast. The colour of the hen described is the colour for the show pen. Those f r cock breeding being darker in colour, the Cuckoo Leghorns should bo the name colour as Plymouth Rocks. Many of the cocks fail in tail feathers at present ; with careful breeding tills fault will he hred out. The Pile Leghorn is the same colour as tho Pile Game, a nice variety, not in many hands at present ; as good in utility as the others. With Duckwing Leghorns breeders are not unanimous as to what tho correct colour in the show pen should be, there being great controversy over the subject at present in England, some favouring the golden, others tho silver. Golden Duck wing cocks mated to pure golden hens will not produce the clear soft coloured pullets demanded in the show pen. The Silver Duckwing should ho the same colour as a good silver grey D irking in both sexes. Buff Leghorns are tire colour of Buff Cochins ; at present they do not breed very true, many being ticked in hackle or white or black in tail. They will be a great acquisition when bred to perfection. In America they now have both white and brown Leghorns with rose combs ; these half-bred Hamburg* of brother Jonathan do not take on in Eugluul.

The Kaikourn, which arrived last week, from London, via Capetown and Hobart, brought out 112 pigeons of different varieties for Mr Macquarric, of Nelson. There are also on hoard two carrier pigeons for Mr Maine, of Dunedin.