138 



POULTRY PRODUCriON 



in males sligiitly hase-wide, legs on which the nails of the 

 scratching toes are well worn, denoting activity. It is the 

 highly active hen that is the last to roost at night and the hrst 

 about in the morning, that the trap nest usually points to as 

 the high ])roducer. 



Aside from the characteristics that go to make up the 

 general conformation of a vigorous bird, there must be a good 

 general appearance that is made up of the style and carriage 

 that is closely associated with disposition, on the one hand, 



Fig. 6!) 



Barred Plymouth Rock, female. Record 62 eg^s. Notice lack of femininity 

 and trimness. (Courtesy of J. W. Parks.) 



and that balanced development of all parts called symmetry 

 on the other. The physically strong and, in the case of males 

 particularly, the sexually strong bird has a well-developed 

 (.)il sac, and spemls considerable time oiling and preening 

 its feathers. The well-kept glossy coat and genertd neatness 

 ;iiid trlnmess of appearance that indicate pride in plumage 

 are assets not to be ignored. Allowance must be uiade on 

 this point for fraycil and fadci] females at the end of a season 

 of lieav\' lading. 



