The INToLTTNG of Fowls, 



40T 



for that period in 1907) this would make an additional profit of $8.87 

 in favor of early molting, if the additional amount of food consumed 

 on account of the increased production is not considered. 



The late molting hens gave 23 more eggs each during the year than 

 the early molting hens. For 

 100 hens this would be 2300 

 eggs, or 1 9 1. 6 dozens. At 

 29.3c per dozen (average 

 price from August 1906 to 

 August 1907) this would 

 amount to $56.13 extra 

 profit for the late molting 

 hens, if extra amount of 

 food consumed is not con- 

 sidered. The comparative 

 profit of the late molting 

 hens over the early molting 

 hens, without considering 

 extra food consumed, 

 would be $56.13 as against 

 $8.87 =$47.26. If one 

 should judge from this 

 record, he might conclude 

 that the best laying hens 

 are often latest to molt; 

 therefore, if condition of 

 feeding, age of stock and 

 environment are similar, 

 the one who kills the late 

 molting hens may be kill- 

 ing the best producers. 



Fig. 20. — Hen No. 61 in Heavy Molt, November 28, 

 1906. Observe the old primary and secondary 

 wing feathers still unshed, while the new body and 

 tail feathers are partially developed and the neck 

 feathers well grown. Would you have killed her 

 because she molted late if you had not known her egg 

 record? 



Feather -making demands nitrogenous food. 

 It is generally conceded that the molting period is the most trying 

 time of a fowl's life. In nature, the shedding of the feathers and the 

 growing of a new plumage apparently occurs in a period of rest follow- 

 ing one of production. This period of molting normally comes with 

 regularity at a certain season of the year and presumably is primarily 

 ;i matter of inheritance, and only secondarily due to environment. 

 Environment may, however, modify, i. c. hasten or retard, the natural 

 process. Whatever the condition influencing the molt may be, it appears 



