By Henry P. Schwab, The Poultry Book
The whole fraternity of poultry fanciers thought the advent of the new white varieties marked the full tide of success with fowls; but when the facts as to new buff breeds shone upon us, all interested in fancy fowls, to a greater or less extent, went, as might be said, color mad. Even to this day men will argue the question as to the shade of color, and present as samples of true buff color specimens ranging from lemon yellow to snuff brown, someone calling each shade the proper color. It is acknowledged that there have been two original strains of Buff Plymouth Rocks-the one called the Wilson strain, the other the Fall River strain. The Wilson strain originated with J.D. Wilson, of Worchester, New York, From Buff Cochins and Light Brahmas. The Fall River strain was produced by R.G. Buffington, Doctor N.B. Aldrich and others, at Fall River, Massachusetts, by crossing Rhode Island Reds and White Plymouth Rocks; also selected Rhode Island Reds that had fairly good Plymouth Rock shape and buff color. The Rhode Island Reds selected for this purpose had more or less Plymouth Rock blood in their veins.
These early productions had black tails, dark flights, almost red body color and very red wing bows. The Wilson strain had better size and color; the Fall River strain better form. From the union of the two those interested have produced a fowl that has the true breed characteristics, also good size and color. Few varieties have advanced so fast as these in real quality of both form and feather. It is not unusual to see male birds of true color through and through, while in females true color is so common as to be practically established; yet in some cases the color is thin and washy and in others too deep or too red. Even with these faults their handlers have shown great skill in bringing them to their present condition in so few years, notwithstanding an undercurrent of hereditary forces tending toward many shapes and colors which came through their original make up.
The first exhibit of this variety was made by Mr. Buffington in December 1890. Both he and Doctor Aldrich exhibited at Providence. Mr. Buffington entered his birds as Buff Plymouth Rocks, while Doctor Aldrich named his exhibit Golden Buffs, under which name they attracted very little attention. Those known as Buff Plymouth Rocks were the center of a new excitement. The Wilson strain was exhibited for the first time as Buff Plymouth Rocks in 1892, but the first exhibit made by Mr. Wilson himself was at the World’s Fair 1893. Ever since they have held a prominent position at the shows.
It cannot be too strongly emphasized that all Plymouth Rocks must have the same shape, form, and breed characteristics. That the shape makes the breed is ever true, while color is simply the emblem of the variety. In mating these fowls for producing the highest class specimens, first of all select good size, vigor, and Plymouth Rock shape, always looking well to the quality of comb, eyes, wattles, earlobes, beak, shanks, and feet. In addition, have good even color as described below. The Standard calls for one even shade of true golden buff throughout. This is a most simple proposition, that tells us in the plainest possible language that all buff fowls must be a true buff of golden hue; not lemon buff nor reddish buff; neither shall it be reddish brown, nor snuff brown, but true and simple “golden buff” which approaches a true colored chamois skin or one of our American (yellow) gold coins.
The most constant defects in the buff color are the red that comes on the wing bow, the black that comes on the tail and wings, and the white that comes in the tail, wings, and under color. Some one of these is always present. A surplus of black seems to drive the others out. Years of experience have taught those who have bred buff fowls that it is a good plan to confine the black to the tail feathers and to hold just a little of it hidden away in the main tail plumage. This can be done, and it helps to fortify against the white. All specimens having the red wing bows should be discarded and used simply as market poultry. By all means keep your Plymouth Rocks up in size. Have them look their character. A small looking specimen which is so fat as to pass muster underweight demands is simply a heavyweight small bird. Breed them to good size. Have them look to be full sized Plymouth Rocks. It is the good, reasonable size that is needed not over fat, so as to weigh in at standard weights. Pay attention to all head portions, for they count largely for or against the specimen. All fowls should have good, bright, rich bay-colored eyes. Nothing detracts more from their beauty than poor shape or poor color of eyes. Stamp out the tendency to feathers on shanks or between the toes. Destroy these, no matter if they excel in color and shape, by sending all that show the slightest tendency to this defect to the poultry market.
The Rhode Island cross still shows its presence by marking some of the hackle feathers with black. Watch for this continually and get rid of it. Keep clear of all unevenness in color, and do not allow the color to run thin and light in shade; at the same time avoid the deep dark shades that properly belong to the Rhode Island Reds. Select the true shaped, true colored specimens and hold to them and breed for better results, thus building true and well, as the stock advances closer and closer to the line of perfection. Formerly it was supposed that the mating of extremes in color would result in a correct shade of buff, but breeders have found it does not do to mate deep red colored birds with lemon buffs. The result has been mossy colored offspring, particularly so on wing bows and breast.
With buff fowls the greatest attention must be paid to the color of the male. Good colored chicks cannot be produced from light, thin colored males any sooner than from those that are deep red. The color of the males to be used in breeding should be very true and even; ticking should be avoided. In shade it must be the breeder’s ideal, the color that he thinks most closely approaches that called for by the standard. The under color should be a shade or two lighter than the surface, but should extend well down to the skin. These properties will result in a solid, true surface color, and with proper mating good colored chicks will be produced. A good test to know if the surface of the male is even, is to hold the bird in such a position that the hackle and saddle feathers will come together. By doing this any differences in the shade can be easily detected. After selecting a male with proper shade, even in color, allowing for the glossy finish of neck,back,saddle,and wings, which must be of same shade; mate him with the truest colored female it is possible to obtain. The females should range in color from a shade lighter to the exact shade of color in the male’s breast. Be careful and avoid breeding from females with the lacing often found in strains where much red-buff blood has been used. Where this fault is present true buff is a long way ahead.