The Hope pioneer., 1922-11-16

layer will usually show dry, shrun-
ken vent, of the same color as the body
of the fowl
The Head Parts.
The laying hen or the one about to
lay will usually have comb waxy in
appearance, red and we'll developed.
While we cannot say that the hen with
the largest comb is the best layer, we
can say that we seldom find really
heavy producer with poorly developed
comb and wattles.
Look for we'll developed, we'll shaped
comb with wattles well developed and
far apart ear obes bright. and we'll
developed, eyes bright, keen and alert.
The beak is one of the working tools
Of the hen, and should be short, stout,
and firmly set.
Pelvic Test.
The pointed extremities of the back
bone, one on each side of the vent are
the pelvic bones. These bones in the
undeveloped pullet are very close to-
gether, and as she approaches the lay
ing period they gradually spread
farther apart until they are at least
two finger widths apart (allowing at
least three-fourths of an inch for each
finger) or the diameter of an egg This
is natural physical change which
must take place before the hen can
lay, for the egg must pass between
these bones in the laying process.
These bones should be thin, straight,
and well spread. The laying hen will
usually have more than two fingers
spread between the pelvic bones and
may have three or even four, the wider
the better.
When the hen ceases production she
has a tendency to take on fat. The
pelvic bones will draw closer together
and will feel thicker and heavier be-
cause of the assembled layers of fat
in that region. Consequently, the thin
pelvic bone is best
There is quite naturally difference
in weight of the bones in the different
breeds. The heavier breeds have
heavier bones than the lighter breeds.
The thickness Of bones must be rela-
lively considered, however, in regard
to the size and breed, but the thinner
the better.
The pelvic bones should also be quite
straight. Sometimes they are curved
inward, and form hooks. These should
be avoided.
If there is any question as to whe-
ther the hen is laying after the pelvic
test, the matter can easily be settled
by the condition of the skin oven the
abdomen. If the hen is laying the skin
will be soft, loose and pliable; if not
laying the skin will usually be found
to be tight and rigid with layers of fat
underneath.
Abdominal Capacity.
The last and perhaps the most vital
point to consider is the abdominal cap.
acity. A heavy producer must con.
sumo large amount of feed, and her
digestive tract must have an abund,
ance of room for expansion. Likewise,
the hen does not make one egg a day
and lay it the same day, but carries
several partially developed eggs ut the
same time. This process requires ad-
ditional room for the oviduct and the
ovary. A heavy laying hen needs a
wide, long, and deep body. Measure
width over the back, and depth from
the pelvic bones down to the rear end
of the breast bone or keel. At least
three fingers depth for the smaller
nj OF f,,p fp, n,
larger breeds should be the standard F;
more depth is better The hen will
not have so great depth when not lay
ing as when she is in laying condition.
Summary.
Discard These Hens-Diseased, Grip.
pied, weak, under-developed, broken
down with excessive fat, early molters
those with small, dry vent; small, dull
comb and wattles; thick, heavy pelvic
bones, close together; hard abdomen,
and short keel bone with small span
between keel and the pelvic bones.
Small breeds should have at least three
fingers depth and larger breeds at least
four fingers.
Retain These Hens-Alert, active,
healthy. vigorous, strong, and well
developed: the ones which mott after
September ! the ones with large moist
vents, thin straight. flexible pelvic
bones. well spread, with deep span be-
tween pelvic bones and keel: abdomen
large soft and pliable; and those whose
shank and benk color Indicates heavy
production. Breed characteristics that
should not be ignored when standard
bred poultry Is kept.