PROGRESSIVE POULTRY RAISING 



When in laying a hen's comb is comparatively large, 

 red and warm to the touch. The wattles are also com- 

 paratively large and warm, apparently due to the func- 

 tioning of the ovary. Therefore if the comb is small, 

 limp and cool to the touch the bird is not laying. Fre- 

 quently the comb of a non-layer is covered with a white 

 scale-like crust. 



The characteristics of high and low producers have 

 been summarized in University of Missouri Extension 

 Circular No. 70, as follows: 



Characteristics The best producing hens will show 

 of High Layers all of the following characteristics: 



1. Vigor Strong, healthy, active, gentle and happy. 



2. Molt Not molting before October first. 



3. Pigmentation Shanks and beak pale. Ear lobes 

 showing no yellow. 



4. Quality Skin soft, fine and velvety. Breast bone 

 thin and of fine quality. Pin bones straight and flexible. 



5. Laying condition Abdomen soft and flexible. 

 Vent moist and expanded. Body depth four fingers or 

 more. Width of pin bones at least three fingers. 



Characteristics The poor producers in the flock 

 of Poor Layers w ^ show all of the following charac- 

 teristics at culling time: 



1. Vigor Lazy, inactive, wild, cross. 



2. Molt Beginning to molt in July, August or Sep- 

 tember. 



3 . Pigmentation Shanks and beak prominent yellow ; 

 yellow in ear lobes on Mediterranean breeds, such as 

 Leghorns. 



4. Quality Skin thick, dry and coarse. Breast bone 

 thick and blunt on the edge. Pin bones blunt and un- 

 yielding. 



Page Fifteen 



