NINETEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IX 495 



Association (annual membership fee $1.00), R. S. Herrick, Secretary, Ames, 

 Iowa. This association secures low prices on all orchard supplies for its 

 members. 



If your community desires an orchard spring pruning and spraying 

 demonstration, write or see your county agent. 



SELECTING GOOD LAYING HENS FOR WINTER EGG PRODUCTION. 



Entirely too much poultry that does not pay for the feed it consumes 

 is kept thruout the winter months upon the average farms. This is due to 

 several reasons, first, the inability of the farmer *o tell with any degree 

 of certainty a good layer from a poor layer; second, the impression that is 

 common in many sections of the country, that the winter months are the 

 resting months for the hens; third, improper management from the stand- 

 point of feeding and housing. 



Without question, the good layers in a farm flock can be selected with 

 reasonable certainty without trap nests. There are certain physical char- 

 acteristics that enable one to distinguish between good and poor layers. 



The tendency toward egg production is inherited by all hens; however, 

 the extent of their egg production varies. Some lay only in the breeding 

 season, while others lay thruout the greater part of the year. This may be 

 due to inheritance, but it is also influenced by differences in strength, vigor 

 and vitality in the conditions under which birds are kept. 



Good production is manifested in those hens with a sound body that 

 show good vigor and health. These characteristics are shown by a well 

 developed body, bright, clear eye, and a comparatively active disposition. 

 The bird must be free from such defects, as crooked beak, eyelids that over- 

 hang so that the bird cannot see well, scaly legs or any other defects that 

 may prevent the bird from obtaining an abundance of food. 



THE KIND OF HENS NOT TO KEEP. 



It is not advisable to keep for winter layers pullets or hens showing the 

 following characteristics 



I. Sloio GrowtJi and Late MaUirity. During the growing season it is 

 well to mark those birds falling behind the average growth of the flock 

 and not keep them for egg production. Late hatched birds, not reaching 

 maturity before cold weather will seldom lay before spring and then in 

 most cases the eggs are small and ill-shaped. 



II. Physical Weakness. Indications of physical unfitness for reproduc- 

 tion are: 



a. Head: Long, narrow, and lacking depth from top to base of beak. 



The beak long and pointed, nostrils small. Eyes sunken. 

 Face and comb often pale. Comb small and undeveloped. 



b. Body: Narrow, especially through back, lacking in depth. Breast 



undeveloped and sharp. 



c. Legs: Often long and stilt like, or weak, bending at hocks, giving 



the bird a squatting appearance. Toes long, toe-nails sharp. 



