THE EGG-TYPE HEN. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE SUCCESS of several breeders in increasing the 

 egg-laying capacity of their flocks by careful selection 

 and breeding has led poultrymen to study the shape 

 or type of their hens in the belief that there may be 

 such a thing as an " egg-type '' that is, a peculiar shape and 

 style characteristic of all good layers. The following questions 

 were sent to leading American breeders. Their answers cover 

 about all that is known on this subject. 



"In your breed what shaped hen gives the best egg-record ? 

 Is it a hen with short legs, chunky body, a short neck and 

 small head, or the reverse ? Can we improve the laying quali- 

 ties of a flock by continued selection of this type ? Would you 

 pick out the bird scoring the highest by the standard for the 

 best layer ?" 



A Laying Wyandotte. In connection with my Silver Wyan- 

 dottes, my ideal hen for a good layer is one with a broad, deep, 

 round body of moderate length and not too chunky. There is 

 no doubt at all in my mind as to the possibility of breeding to 

 develop this shape, any more than I think there is a doubt of 

 our ability to breed with certainty a particular type of cow for 

 either butter or milk production, by the continued selection of 

 a certain type. I would not always pick out the bird scoring 

 the highest by the standard for the best layer ; still the 

 American Standard of Excellence for Wyandottes describes a 

 good layer, especially if the Silvers are considered; for birds 

 of this variety are, in my opinion, the best layers in the Wyan- 

 dotte family. J. D. TOMKINS. 



