Improved breeds

34. At the animal husbandry centres you can get Improved breeds of poultry.

For example, here are some of the more successful crosses. In naming the crossed breeds, the breed of the male is always given first.

Rhode Island- Sussex cross

The hen is a light mahogany colour; the cock is white speckled with black.

The hen is a good layer.

In 10 months, that is about 300 days of laying, it will lay 165 to 180 eggs.

Sussex- Rhode Island cross

This cross gives birds that are white speckled with silvery black.

The hen is quite a good layer.

A three- month- old pullet will weigh from 1.5 to 1.7 kilogrammes.

Rhode Island- Wyandotte cross, also called P- 60, is a bird of dark mahogany colour.

Often the hens have a flat curly comb. The hen is a good layer.

But it dislikes damp.
The adult hen weighs between 1.7 and 2 kilogrammes.

New Hampahire- Leghorn and Rhode Island- Leghorn crosses.

These crosses often produce white birds and sometimes birds with mahogany feathers.

They produce white eggs.
There are the Gold- Hen and Harco crosses.

Other new breeds are being introduced which carry trade names.

The animal husbandry centre can tell you which of them are suitable for your particular conditions.