44 



THE CALL OF THE HEN. 



FIG. 18 Showing hen in very poor condition. The feathers being plucked away 

 shows the actual condition of the flesh. We call a hen in this condition "three fingers 

 out of condition," which indicates that her abdomen has shrunken up three fingers. 

 If she now has a capacity of one finger, when in good condition she would be four fingers 

 abdomen ; if she has a capacity of two fingers now, she would have five fingers capacity 

 when in good condition. 



Fig. 20 is somewhat thinner, as indicated by breast-bone. We call 

 her one finger out of condition. 



The degrees of condition show the amount of shrinkage in ab- 

 dominal depth. One ringer out of condition shows she has shrunken 



FIG. 19 Showing hen in good condition. You will note that the flesh is even 

 withjthe breast-bone. This hen would show her normal abdominal depth when exam- 

 ined. 



