486 



A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



The shank color is the last to be affected, the yellow 

 remaining in this part after it has disappeared elsewhere. 

 For this reason we have here the surest indication of long 

 continued production. It requires from four to five months 

 for the shanks to bleach out after the hen begins to produce 

 eggs. The color leaves the front of the shanks first and 

 gradually fades from the scales on the back side as the length 

 of the laying period increases. 



Figure 232. Rear view showing large vent and egg laying form on left, and 

 small vent and meat form on right. Photograph from Dr. O. B. Kent. 



BODY CHANGES DUE TO EGG PRODUCTION 

 The following discussion of body changes is in the order 

 that is usually followed in culling demonstrations. 



The vent of a laying hen is large, as is shown in figure 

 232, and it is also open, moist, and soft, while that of a non- 

 laying fowl is small, close, dry, and puckered. 



