Poultry.

Western Star, Issue 374, 21 August 1880, Page 2 (Supplement)

Poultry.

POULTRY NOTES. (By a Fancier.) There can be no doubt that the lucky cross introduced by Mr John Douglas into New Zealand in 1857 has left its mark as regards the plumage of our present colored Dorkings, but the average weight seems to have decreased, until it now stands at very little more.than previous to the cross mentioned. I have tried crossing with the Brahma, and have had some very good bird?, especially hens ; in fact, I have had no difficulty in getting good hens of this breed ; but for one good cock I have had at least fifty inferior, and would be glad to hear from any other breeder as to his. experience on that point. There

are four colors of Dorkings recognised in the standard:—Colored, silver grey, white, and Cuckoo. In general characteristics they are all alike, unless the white, which should have a rose comb.

General Characteristics of Cock. —Head and Neck. —Head, rather large, but free from coarseness ; beak, stout; comb, if single, large, upright, evenly serrated, with no excrescent growths—if rose, upright on the head, wide in front, narrowing to a peak behind with a slight upward inclination, the top of the comb free from hollow in the middle ; wattles, very large ; deaf-ears, hanging nearly a third the depth of the wattles ; neck, rather short and full of hackle, appearing very broad at the base and tapering rapidly to the head. Body. —Deep and square, when viewed sideways having the appearance of a short rectangle ; back, broad and long; saddle, broad, inclining down to the tail, which should be set on at nearly a right angle ; breast, deep and full j wings, large and broad. Legs and Feet— Thighs, large and carried along the body ; shanks, short, stout, and fine in texture, free from any sign of leg feather, the spur pointing a little inward; toes, large and well spread, the hinder toe being double, the extra toe well-formed, starting from close to the other, but perfectly distinct and pointing a little upwards; tail, full, carried nearly erect, but not squirrel-fashion, the sickles broad and sweeping. Size —Large, from ten to thirteen pounds in adults, and eight to eleven in cockerels. General Shape.. — Square and plump. Carriage. -r Stately, with the breast carried well forward. General Characteristics of the Hen. — Head and Neck. —Head, neat; comb, same as the cocks, if rose, but if single, falling over to one side of the face ; wattles and deaf-ears, same as the cocks but smaller ; neck, short arid neat. Body. —Same in general appearance to the cock, butlonger in proportion. Legs and Feet. —Same the cocks with the exception of spurs. Tail.■ The feathers broad but carried rather close. Size.— Large, from eight to ten pounds. General Shape. —Plump and deep, but rather long compared with other breeds. Carriage. —Quiet, but stately.