118 THE CALL OF THE HEN. 



My birds in Massachusetts were bred for eggs only for years, and 

 their type became set and their pelvic bones contracted, when not laying, 

 to average about 25 per cent; but I find that hens bred promiscuously 

 contract about 50 per cent. 



The points to be borne in mind in using this System are: 



That selection by the pelvic bones alone is best made in the flush 

 of laying. 



That thin pelvic bones and soft abdomen indicate the egg type. 



That thick pelvic bones and hard, fleshy, fatty abdomen indicate 

 the beef type. 



The size of the abdomen indicates the capacity of the bird, either 

 as an egg or as a meat proposition as the case may be large abdomen, 

 large capacity; small abdomen, small capacity. 



The same rules apply to the cockerel, cock, male bird, or rooster, 

 as he may be called. 



In order to determine the capacity of a hen for egg-production by 

 one selection, she should be in normal condition and not more than a 

 few days broody. 



The estimates in this document refer to hens about one year old. 

 As a rule, they will lay less each year as they grow older how much 

 less depends on the vitality of the hen, other things considered. 



SUPPLEMENT TO WALTER HOGAN'S SYSTEM. 



If you will get a little 1-foot rule to check yourself up while getting 

 used to measuring with the tips of your fingers, as in Fig. 4, you will 

 have no trouble in applying its principles right. You can hold the bird 

 feet up and head down between your knees while you are measuring; 

 then hold as in Fig. 4, and learn to estimate the width right. Anything 

 under 1 inch will not pay, all over !}/ inches will pay; from 1 to I'/s 

 inches are doubtful ; 2 inches is about the 200-egg type ; 2 8 /s inches about 

 the 250-egg type, and 2% inches about the 280-egg type. 



Hens measuring from 1 to P/s inches should be put in a yard while 

 being fed well and looked over once a week at night in the dark for 

 about eight weeks, if you wish to make a careful test. Any that come 

 up or down in measurement can be put in the good or bad yards, as the 

 case may be. Hens will go up or down about 25 per cent in measurements 

 as they are in flush of laying or not. The best time to examine hens is 

 after dark while on roost, which should be about 18 inches from the floor. 

 Place left hand on back of hen, lift up tail with thumb of right hand, and 

 apply tips of fingers to pelvic bones. With a little practice you will 

 be able to inspect thirty per minute. It is admitted by all physicians, 

 professors, and students of physiology that I have talked with in regard 

 to this matter that the abdominal capacity of a hen, together with a 

 strong vital temperament, has everything to do with her value as a 

 laying proposition. The pelvic bones (being a continuation of the body 

 structure of the fowl and subject to very small changes in the formation 

 of flesh) are, when comparatively straight and thin, an index to the width 

 of the abdomen, and the best if not the only one we have, as they protrude 

 from the body and may be easily measured. The depth of the abdomen 

 can be taken by placing the palm of the hand crosswise below, between 

 the pelvic bones and the rear of the breast-bone. Sometimes it will be 

 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 fingers. (A finger means % of an inch.) Also place 



