Knowing the Heavy Layers 87 



will get it. The poor layers don't need but just so much to keep up 

 their bodily needs and their crops will be found to be about half full. 

 If the fingers are greased and inserted in the vent, the size of the 

 egg bags may be determined, those laying heavily will have large bags 

 and the poor layers small ones. 



The head of a good layer is distinctly feminine; that is, long and 

 slender, after the manner of a good milch cow's head. The color of 

 the face, comb and wattles in the laying hen are nearly always of a 

 bright red, especially in pullets that are just commencing to lay. A 

 pullet that has not commenced, but is about to commence laying, will 

 show a very bright red comb. 



In hens or pullets that are about to lay, the plumage usually gives 

 a better and brighter luster; but those who have been laying heavily 

 will have very dingy looking feathers, while the poor layers are much 

 brighter in plumage. These things can all be observed best in a yard 

 where there are both kinds of layers to choose from. A hen that has 

 laid heavily all the season has had very little feed to spare for feathers 

 and they get very rough and faded, while her sister that has laid only 

 every other day or so could put some of her time and substance into 

 feathers and so looks much nicer. Actions of the hen: Early laying 

 is one of the best indications of a good layer. A hen that is going to 

 lay will usually be found singing and chuckling to herself a good part 

 of the time. She is always alert, too, after the bits to be found, and 

 is generally hunting and digging after something; her spirits are too 

 high to let her lay around dull. 



She should be in good condition, because neither a real fat hen 

 nor a real lean hen can possibly be a good layer. You want the 

 happy medium, and these are the hens that will be active without being 

 too nervous and restless. A hen that waddles like a duck when walk- 

 ing is not always a fat hen, if she is grasped by the abdomen and the 

 seeming fat is hard she is a good layer and that which appears to be 

 fat is muscle. 



A little observation will enable anyone to pick out the best layers 

 in a yard. Drones never fight and rustle after their share of the 

 feed; this is one of the surest tests there is; they are content with 

 little; they spend their time pluming their feathers or basking in the 

 sun or shade but not hunt around or dig. A good layer must eat, and 

 if it is to be found she will find it at home or abroad if given her 

 liberty; if shut in she will get a big share of all that is served to the 

 flock. A big layer is a big eater. Nature made her so. 



