132 THE CALL OF THE HEN. 



The hen with small abdomen is of small account, either as 

 an egg or as a meat proposition, as she lacks the abdominal 

 capacity to digest and assimilate food enough to sustain the 

 every -day wear of her system and at the same time to produce 

 eggs or flesh in paying quantities. 



Everything related here applies to the male bird as well, 

 only in a lesser degree. 



The remarks in regard to pullets refer to mature pullets, 

 as Leghorn pullets are at five months old in the New England 

 States. 



My birds in Massachusetts were bred for eggs only for 

 years, and their type became set and their pelvic bones con- 

 tracted, when not laying, to average about 25 per cent; but I 

 find that hens bred promiscously 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-pro- 

 duction 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 



