Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-04-24

ware of the small eater. or the hen that
goes to roost on a crop half full of food.
invalid.
The depth of the abdomen, as well as
the length, indicates capacity. Hence the
good layer is described as having a long
body, deep in the keel, which is another
term for the breast bone. To measure
or ascertain the abdominal capacity Of
a hen. the fowl is grasped by the legs in
the left hand and it's head and wings
tucked under the arm in a horizontal
position, in what Is admitted to be the
correct method of holding or carrying
a chicken.
Then the fingers of the right hand are
placed on the abdomen between the two
pelvis bones on either side of the vent
and the rear of the breast bone. This
distance will be found to vary quite con-
sderably with different hens. In some
specimens the width of one finger will be
found sufficient to occupy the space be-
tween the pelvic bones and the breast
bone. In others, three, four. five and
six fingers, and in rare cases seven
fingers, are needed to fill up this space.
The greater the distance between these
points the greater the abdominal capac
ity; the greater the abdominal capacity
the better the layer. The egg organs
of heavy layer require so much space
that they bear against and distend or
displace, as it were, the intestinal tract,
thus giving to the layer that full look
in the posterior section.
The pelvic bones, sometimes called
the LAY bones or vent bones, are also
measured for the distance or spread be-
tween them, also for the pliabiity. Do
not mistake the abdominal measurement
for the distance between the pelvic
bones, which latter is known as the
pelvic bone test. The widths of the An
gers were used for the Abdominal test,
whereas the tips of the fingers are
used for the pelvic bone test.
BONES SHOULD BE PLIABLE
The pelvic bones of a good layer are
thin, pliabe and well spread or capable
of being spread apart, for the simple
reason that the egg must pass between
these bones when it is laid. The tips
Of two to four fingers can be inserted in
the hollow space betwsen the pelvic
bones of a heavy layer; three fingers
Is the average width.
The non-laying hen has pelvic bones
that are close together, almost touching
each other. and almost rigid, that is
they cannot be spread apart easily; they
are not pliable. AS a rule, the bones are
thick at the tips. as opposed to the thin
tips Of the heavy layer. The reason for
this condition is easily understood. If
hen does not lay there is nothing to
keep them pliable. They contract through
a hi cL vic npl,
disuse.
The reverse Of this condition Is true
of the heavy layer. Such a hen lays
so frequently that the pelvic bones are
forced apart, and kept pliable because
they are made to yield to assist in the
passage of the egg Naturally, the older
the heavy layer. the greater the distance
between the bones. The bones thicken
with age, too, and tend to become less
pliable.
A good example of the on-layine
condition can be found in the hen tina,
is in the middle of the mott, also r
the hen that has Matched and reared
brood of chicks.
The most inexperienced person will
/ have no trouble in applying these bone
| tests, providing that person will make
numerous examinations at different sea
sons, and closely observe a few speci
mems of each extreme-the heavy lay
| err and the very poor layer. Here. a:
with the color tests, however ones find
| ings must be made relatively and with tn,
| exercise of common sense. Observation:
\ based upon all tests are the most re
| liable. In other words, a hen with
poor comb, a great deal Of yellow in tn,
shanks and around the vent. a loafer
poor eater and a contracted pair o
pelvic bones and little abdominal ca
pacity Is sure to be a drone. You can
go wrong in condemning her to tn,
block.
WHAT THE MOLT TELLS
\ 1t is pretty generally established tina
pullets which begin to lay early in life
provided they are fully matured, ar,
almost sure to be the most prolific mem
bers of the flock. Ordinarily this means
that the pulets which commence t.
patronize the nest in the fall befor,
snow flies, are the most likely cand
dates. Fowls that fail to start produc
ton until after Christmas seldom attain
hifh scors. 1t usually follows als'
that pullets continuing to lay late int
the fall thereby postponing the mol
until cold wother Is at hand. are almos
without exception heavy producers.
Remember, then. that hens which hav
nice new coat of feathers by July loo
well, but they are not often profitable
The late molters. those that look rage
and even dirty when the others are slice
and clean, are almost always the hes
layers in the flock. Moreover it will b
noted that the late molters get throug
with this task very quickly. seemingl
which is an appreciate saving in tim,
therefore more eggs.
1t should be understood, of cours,
that much of this business of moltin
depends upon the wachfulness of III
| caretaker. All hens are prone to b'
come broody at times, even the so-calle
non-sitting varieties, and if this brood
ness is tolerated, if the hens are pei
mitted TO remain on the nests, they al
soon thrown out of laying condition,
which event their plumage dries on
particularly If warm weather is at han,
and they are then disposed to enter Il
mott.
Broodlness must be discouraged at tn
earliest moment, Hens found on the mes
after nightfall should be removed to
special pen wherein efforts are made
break up the inclination.
Eggs are laid in sequences or serie
, sometimes called filters. Between seri,
, there is a rest period. maybe of a coup
of days duration, maybe a week
, longer. depending upon the productiv
ness of the hen.
At such times 1t is natural for the ht
to become broody and show signs of
material instinct-a desire to hatch al