SELECTING HENS FOR EGG PRODUCTION 147 



stopped laying can be determined by the molting of the 

 primary feathers. It takes about 6 wk. to renew com- 

 pletely the primary feathers next to the axial feathers 

 and an additional 2 wk. for each additional primary to 

 be renewed. 



Temperament and Activity. A good layer is more 

 active and nervous and yet more easily handled than a 

 poor layer. A high layer shows more friendliness and 

 yet elusiveness than a poor bird. A low producer is 

 shy and stays on the edge of the flock and will squawk 

 when caught. 



While the characters discussed have dealt specifically 

 with the one year's production, it should be borne in 

 mind that a high producer one year is, generally speak- 

 ing, a high producer in all other years. 



.SCORE CARD 



The table on page 148 is a sample score of 15 White 

 Leghorns that was made at Cornell University in July, 

 1918. The numbers 1, 2, 3, etc. refer to the grade in 

 which the fowl is classed, 1 being the highest. The 

 terms used are the same as those used in the preceding 

 rules, as, for instance, vent, eye ring, etc. Abdomen and 

 capacity are used quite like the ruling in the Hogan 

 system. By studying carefully the rules for judging and 

 this table you will have all the information relative to 

 this work that has been evolved up to the time of the 

 printing of this book. The number of eggs estimated and 

 the number of actual eggs are shown in comparison. The 

 estimate was made by the expert who examined the 

 15 White Leghorns and made this record card. The 

 actual number of eggs laid, as shown in the last column, 

 was obtained through the use of trap nests. In the 

 table, x indicates a blank and the term capacity relates 

 to capacity as an egg layer. 



