484 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



profited thereby. In 1921 nearly all the 88 counties of Ohio 

 had special culling demonstrations, 50,000 persons being in at- 

 tendance. During the month of July 599 demonstrations were 

 held in 32 counties, and 64,651 hens were handled, 23 per 

 cent of which were culls. It was estimated by the Poultry 

 Department of the Ohio State University that these culls 

 that were removed from the flock, resulted in a saving of 

 $11,766 to the flock owners. This Ohio experience is simply 

 given as an example of the importance of this work. The 

 following instructions for culling the flock, are based upon 

 an excellent bulletin* prepared by Professor E. L. Dakan, a 

 poultry specialist who has devoted much attention to this 

 subject. 



Indications of egg-producing capacity may be sought in 

 several directions. In general these indications are shown 

 in three ways: 



1. In color changes due to egg production. 



2. In body changes in fat and pelvic bones. 



3. The period of molting. 



A discussion of the above indications involves a number 

 of special features which must be considered by themselves. 



COLOR CHANGES IN HENS DUE TO.EGG PRODUCTION 



A yellow pigment is more or less present in the hen, 

 according to conditions. When not producing eggs, the 

 hen lays up body fat. In the case of yellow-skinned fowls, 

 this fat contains a yellow pigment which colors not only the 

 body fat and skin, but also the legs, beak, eye ring, and to 

 some extent the ear lobe. As soon as a hen begins to pro- 

 duce eggs, this yellow pigment fades from the body and 

 intensifies in the yolk of the egg. So long as a hen produces 

 eggs the pigment is diverted to the yolk, none being deposited 

 in the body, which is now bluish-white or pink in color. 

 When laying is discontinued, the body once more takes on 

 the yellow color. This process of fading follows a certain 



*Culling the poultry flock. By E. L. Dakan, Bulletin 13. vol. XV, 1919-20, 

 Agricultural Extension Service, Ohio State University 



