36 



THE CALL OF THE HEN. 



balance-ration of dry ground feed before them all the time. 

 The dual-purpose hens were fed all the grain they could 

 clean up in the scratching-shed, with a small amount of dry 

 ground feed each day. The meat type hens were fed a 

 smaller amount of grain in the scratching-shed, with a couple 

 of feeds each week of dry ground mash just enough to keep 

 them in condition. After this he had no more trouble with 

 his hens not laying in the proper season and dying from being 

 too fat. He would occasionally pick up hens in the different 

 pens and note their condition and feed them accordingly. 

 He told me later that before he had taken the lessons he had 

 been working completely in the dark, but now he under- 

 stood the matter thoroughly and knew what to do. 



Fig. 9. After examining the hen as in Fig. 8, place the 

 hand as in Fig. 9, and hold right hand firmly enough to pre- 

 vent her from slipping down. 



FIG. 9 Showing one movement that has proved an aid in test- 

 ing type. The right hand is placed under the breast of the hen 

 to steady her while the legs are drawn downward to bring the hen 

 into position so that she may be examined for type (as in cut 10). 



