116 THE CALL OF THE HEN. 



HEAD, BEAK AND ADJUNCTS 



15 Points, 45 Eggs 



One of the best indications in picking high layers is the fineness of the head. 

 The head of a heavy producer is fine, showing a lean face, free from wrinkles and 

 overhanging eyebrows. The wattles and ear-lobes fit close to the head and are not 

 loose and floppy. The face is clean cut, the eye is full, round and prominent, especially 

 when seen from the front. An eye which gives a clean-cut, wide-open appearance is 

 desirable The eyeball of the heavy producer is generally set in the rear of a large 

 oval socket showing considerable of the white eye membrane in front of the eyeball. 

 The head ot the heavy producer should be well balanced, being moderately deep and 

 broad. The extremely fat, full head of the beefy bird, and the long, thin pointed head 

 of the low-vitality bird are both undesirable and should call for heavy cuts in this sec- 

 tion. The low producing bird generally shows a depressed eye with overhanging eye- 

 brows and wrinkled skin at the back of the eye. The extremely long sharp beak is 

 usually possessed by the low producer, while the medium stout, well curved beak is 

 characteristic of the high producer. 



HANDLING QUALITIES 

 10 Points, jo Eggs. 



The skin of the heavy-producing hen is thin, soft and pliable, especially the skin 

 on the abdomen must be thin and loose. The skin of the poor producer is generally 

 thick, hard and rather coarse to the touch, The thin, velvety skin is almost always 

 associated with heavy ovarian activity. 



CONDITION 



15 Points, 45 Eggs 



A bird to be capable of highest sustained production must be first of all, healthy. 

 She must show vigor and activity and be well fleshed. Late moulting in hens is 

 desirable. Early moulting and slow maturing as shown by the primary feathers, 

 should be cut severely. Late developing and later maturing usually indicate low pro- 

 duction. In applying this section to hens, health and moulting conditions should be 

 given primary consideration. In applying this section to pullets, health and maturity 

 should be given primary consideration. 



BEAK, LEGS AND TOES 

 5 Points 15 Eggs. 



The shanks of a heavy producer are flat, pliable and smooth scaled. In hens at 

 the end of their laying year, or pullets which have been laying heavily for some time, 

 the shanks will be bleached out. The toes should be straight and the toe nails show an 

 indication of proper activity. The shanks of the poor producer are usually round, hard 

 and rather coarse scaled. 



