Chicken

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

a common barnyard fowl. All varieties of chickens are thought to have originated from the jungle fowl of southeastern Asia. There are eighty-seven standard varieties raised in this country. They are divided into several classes, which, for practical purposes, may be reduced to four, as follows: 1. The general purpose, or American chicken. Of these the Plymouth Rock is celebrated for its graceful figure and upright carriage. It is a very handsome bird with fine grey and white plumage. The Wyandottes are also fine birds, not quite so large as the preceding. These two kinds, all qualities considered, are the most desirable where appearance, good habits, abundance of eggs, and dressed poultry are desired. The Plymouth Rock originated in Massachusetts; the Wyandotte in New York . 2. The Brahmas, Cochins, and Langshans, introduced from Asia, are heavy, hardy breeds, considered very desirable for the table. They are somewhat larger than the American chickens, but are not as good layers. 3. The so-called Mediterranean class, including the Leghorns, Minorcas, and Spanish chickens, are abundant layers. The Leghorns are probably the most prolific chickens known. They are light eaters and are active and healthy. Their eggs are smaller than those of American chickens, and they are considered less desirable for the table. 4. Ornamental breeds, Bantams, Japanese, Polish, and Games. The bantam is remarkable for its small size and exceedingly pugnacious disposition. The gamecock, of which there are several varieties, is a tall, gaunt bird, armed with a large spur. It is reared chiefly for cock-fighting. It is still kept for that purpose in some parts of this country. It is a popular source of amusement in Malasia and other benighted regions. Few realize the enormous proportions to which the chicken industry of the world has risen. Speaking for the United States alone, the last census reported 233,598,085 chickens. In eggs and poultry the chickens of the United States for 1900 yielded $280,000,000. Cotton, our most valuable field crop, was worth but $260,000,000. The American hog brought but $186,000,000 that year. The eggs, if crated, would have filled the refrigerator cars of a train 900 miles long. A good hen lays 200 eggs a year. Skillful raisers now depend on incubators to hatch their chickens. In this way "spring" chickens may be put on the market the year around. Eggs require twenty-one days to hatch. One man in Ohio has a contract to furnish 300 spring broilers and 100 dozen eggs daily, year in and year out. He has 30,000 Plymouth Rocks, 30 incubators, and acres of buildings. A chart of the chicken and corn-raising industries of the United States shows that the two are closely related. The corn belt is also the poultry belt.