242 



MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION 



shanks and feet indicate an age of more than a year, 

 in all kinds of poultry, including turkeys, ducks, and 

 geese. 



The faces of poultry more than 1 yr. old lose their 

 smooth finished appearance and become wrinkled and 

 drawn. The eyes and eyelids of fowls more than 1 yr. 

 old do not have the fresh appearance of young poultry. 



One of the best indications of the age of fowls 

 is the appearance of the secondaries. At the conclusion 

 of the first complete molt, which occurs when the fowl 

 is about 12 mo. old, the secondaries alter in shape and 



FIG. 1 



show evidence of the dividing line between the young 

 and the old fowl. This change of the secondaries cannot 

 be readily described. The wings of pullets and of old 

 hens must be held alongside of one another and compared 

 and studied in order to appreciate the marked change 

 that occurs in the shape or form of these feathers. 



Proper Way to Hold a Fowl. When a fowl is carried 

 about or held in the hands it should be held in a position 

 that is comfortable for it and cleanly for the person 

 holding it. When a fowl is held by the shanks and feet 

 with the head hanging down, it suffers considerable 

 pain, and if the crop contains water, the water will 



