HOW TO TELL SEX OF PIGEONS 97 



that turns around in a complete circle is the cock bird. The 

 hen never turns more than half a circle. 



As a rule the cock bird has a larger and thicker neck than 

 the hen, his general appearance is usually more masculine in 

 most details but it takes a keen eye to pick these details out. 

 On the othci- hand we tind hens that have large heads and 

 necks and wtiich ai'e liable to make us believe that tliey are of 

 the male sex. 



Take a bird \ip and jiut the fingers sidewise between the 

 vent l)ones. If the l)ones aic well separated the bird is a hen, 

 if close togetlier the bird is a cock. This ai)plies 1o old liens 

 only for a hen that has not \'ef laid her lirst egg will have close 

 vent fiones. Ry vent bones are meant the two bones at the 

 rectmn. 



Still another method is as follows: Hold a bird by the bead 

 with the left hand and by the feet with the right hand. Gently 

 stretch the bird. If it is a ccick the tail will tlrop oi' lay even 

 with the l)ody, it is a hen if the tail will go upward. 



With a little experience one can easily tell the sex of pigeons 

 by their general appearance and movements. 



