EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 227 



enoiigli, or strong enough, for parent stock. Select the pullet that 

 grows to a good size quickl}' and lays continuously for a long period. 



SELECTION ACCORDING TO FORM. 



Many rely on selecting their best laying fowls by merely studying 

 the form, or in other words, they believe that there is a characteristic 

 egg type. Trap nest records seem to indicate that this rule is variable 

 to some extent, at least. One should be able to select by form with fair 

 success, as it has been noticed that hens with crow heads, that is, long, 

 poako'l heads, are seldom good layers. The same is true of hens that 

 nie unusually long legged. All those that are crooked breasted, or in 

 any wny deformed, should be discarded, not for fear that the chicks 

 will inherit the deformity, but because it shows weakness; a bird with 

 a crooked breast cannot present a very good appearance on the stand 

 in the market. It is essential, however, to know by form and type which 

 ones should be kept. Some of the most important factors relating to 

 form, aiding in selection, are embodied in the following: A triangular 

 shape, with deep, broad bodies, showing a large capacity for egg pro- 

 duction, well sprung ribs and flat backs that broaden out toward the 

 rump. Some claim that they can readily tell the good producers by 

 a large space between the pelvic bones. Careful examination of a num- 

 ber of hens will show that in some cases, at least, there is a variation 

 in the distance between these bones. 



SELECTION OF GOOD FEEDERS. 



The appetite of the hen is some indication as to her productive capac- 

 ity. Those with good appetites will meet one at the door at feeding time 

 and, if at all tame, may hop on to the feed basket. They will scratch 

 llie litter about the pen in a vigorous way in search of hidden grains, 

 and may be heard singing away contentedly as they work. They will 

 always be active, never drooping around the pen or staying on the roosts 

 after the others have left, in fact, the first hen about in the morning 

 may usually be considered one of the best producers. The reason for 

 this is simple. If she requires just food enough to supply the wear 

 and tear of the body it will not take her long to secure it, but if she 

 is a good egg manufacturing machine, a large supply of fuel is needed 

 to keep the mechanism running. The fuel furnishing this energy is 

 found in the food consumed. 



SELECTION AND AGE. 



A question that attracts considerable attention relates to the age 

 of the hens to produce eggs for incubation. Many people disapprove 

 of eggs from pullets, but we believe those secured from pullets that have 

 laid ail winter and from yearling hens with good records are the most 

 satisfactory. Extra good producers may be kept for breeding stock 

 until their third or fourth year, or even longer, but usually hens coming 

 two y(iars old make the best breeders. But if hens have extra good 

 records they should be kept as long as they continue to do well. It 

 would be a decided advantage if we could breed hens capable of main- 

 taining a high standard of production for several years. All of the 



