:)ll T11K THAI' MOST T1CXT HOOK 



FKEAK HENS. 



The account of the "freak" turkey on page 150 of P. K. for August re- 

 minded me ofv nunil)er of hens that I have had that showed similar 

 characteristics. Both in Barred Plymouth Rocks and White Wyandottes 

 I have occasionally found pullets that regularly visited the nest, remain- 

 ing quietly for a long time, but without result. I have often detected 

 them in the apparent attempt to void an egg. 



In everv case there was a previous history of laying. With one excep-. 

 tion these pullets had laid very few eggs at long intervals. This excep- 

 tion laid well for a time. These birds were apparently in vigorous health, 

 combs red, eves bright, and their unproductive visits to the nest were 

 frequent and regular for weeks and in a few cases for months. They 

 were not egg eaters, as was shown by careful tests. 



I have changed the quarters of such birds, changed the ration and 

 amount of exercise with no effect. Those that I have killed showed con- 

 siderable internal fat (not distinguishable by outward examination) and 

 the oviduct was atrophied or shrunken. There was no indication that 

 they would ever lay again. The latest specimen would cackle when 

 leaving the nest. Two specimens appeared to become broody while in 

 this condition. 



The cause of the condition I do not pretend to know. I have called it 

 fatty degeneration, but that is purely speculative. I do not attribute it 

 to any serious defect in the ration, for these occasional freaks get the 

 same ration that their more commonly prolific mates receive. I believe 

 that the most profitable plan is to market such birds as soon as dis- 

 covered. 



F. O. Wkij.come. 



These have the laying instinct, they want to lay, and they try to lay. 

 Sometimes the.-e pullets are heavy, sometime* they are light. I know 

 of no way to detect their infirmity except by their ne*l record. 



I believe that, as a rule, birds that do not lay profitably under con- 

 ditions that are apparently suitable for their mates should be marketed 

 as soon as they show their true colors. 



The tendency of a hen to become a chronic layer of weak-shelled eggs 

 seems to increa-e with age as also does the tendency to overfatness. 



I think it well to get rid of such hens. They may lay freely. I 

 have one such hen that is now on her fifth \ ear of laying. Hie lays 

 quite well although quite fat and is practically a non-sitter. (P. H.) 

 yet she cannot produce a well-shelled egg. 'these weak eggs are very 

 easily broken hi the nest, anil elsewhere, ami the birds that lay them 

 constantly thus become somewhat of a nuisance. 



Common causes for poor laying are bad feeding, lice anil miles, ex- 

 treme heal and rolil. fright, disease, broodines.s. hi,,,,-, ;lltt i natural 



incapacity. This last is often intimately associated with excessive 

 broodiness, 



