380 COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



lies in the fact that it is discernible without having to handle the 

 bird. 



Color. — In virtually all of the yellow-skinned breeds of chickens 

 the shanks, beak and flesh of the posterior parts of the birds are 

 a rich yellow at the commencement of laying, and gradually 

 undergo a fading out as the laying progresses, until these parts 

 become a real pale color, sometimes pink, or white, as the laying 

 season advances. This change in color is so consistent, in fact, 

 and so quickly made, especially in the region of the flesh sur- 

 rounding the vent, that it will be clearly apparent even to the 

 layman. 



The theory of this test is based on the fact that the same color- 

 ing matter that gives the shank, beak and skin its rich yellow 

 look is also used in the color of the yolks of eggs. Heavy layers 

 produce eggs faster than they can supply the coloring matter 

 for the shanks, beak and so on, consequently the color becomes 

 lighter and lighter, until it is frequently scarcely visible. 



Furthermore, hens that are not in laying condition are prone 

 to store up a certain amount, and sometimes a very large amount, 

 of fat in the region surrounding the vent, and this fat, being of a 

 rich yellow color, transmits its color to the flesh. When these 

 hens start to lay and lay heavily, this fat is drawn upon to supply 

 the body tissues with the necessary energy, until its supply is 

 virtually depleted, in which case the skin loses its former rich 

 yellow appearance. 



In selecting hens by the color test, allowances must be made 

 for the natural difference in color between different breeds and 

 different individuals of the same breed. For example, it is 

 manifestly unreasonable to compare the color of a Rhode Island 

 Red or Barred Plymouth Rock with a White Orpington or White 

 Leghorn. The color test should be made relatively and with the 

 exercise of much common sense. 



An examination should be made at the commencement of 

 laying, and not during the molt or when the birds are immature, 

 and the degree or shade of color carefully noted. Later, when 

 the flock should be laying heavily, say about April first, the color 



