PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



mean larger capacity and greater egg-production. Still 

 another type that has a large number of advocates is the 

 oblong type. The body is long and wide across the back, and 

 of good depth. The breast is full, the keel long, and the abdo- 

 men full. Viewed from above or on the side the shape is 

 oblong. This type is illustrated in the White Leghorn and the 

 Rhode Island Red, as well as many other breeds. This type 

 probably has more friends than any other. 



Type is also indicated by the thickness and conformation 

 of the public bones. If they are one-eighth of an inch or less 

 in thickness, the egg-type is indicated. If they are moderately 

 thick, one-fourth of an inch or a little more or less, the dual 

 purpose type is indicated. If they are very thick, one-half inch 

 or more, the meat type is suggested, and such hens tend to lay 

 on fat rather than produce eggs. In making a study of the 

 dual purpose breeds it Avill be found that moderately thick 

 pubic bones are conipatible with good egg-production. 



Egg type is also indicated by the head points. A bright 

 eye, a short beak, a large comb, fine in texture, large wattles, 

 and a face with a close fitting skin are indicative of the egg 

 type. If a hen falls short in these requirements she may be 

 suspected of being unworthy of a place in the flock. 



Energy. Energy is the power to do work. This power 

 depends upon health, vitality, prepotency, capacity, and 

 temperament. 



Health is a condition in which the functions of the body 

 are performed without friction; disease is an abnormal con- 

 dition. Only healthy fowls should be allowed to remain in the 

 flock. If diseased, they will soon cease laying, and, if they lay, 

 their eggs will be unfit for human consumption. 



Vitality is essential to production. If weak in vitality the 

 hen should be rejected. Sometimes, however, a hen may 

 naturally have a good grip on life, but its vitality has been 

 weakened by external or internal parasites. If the parasites 

 are destroyed, she will put on new life and become productive. 



The value of prepotency has been discussed. Hens that 

 lack in prepotency should be culled from the breeding flock, 

 but may be retained in the laying flock. 



Capacity is an index of energy. By capacity is meant an 

 abundance of room for the operation of all the machinery 

 engaged in egg-production. A machine in cramped quarters 

 will turn out only a limited amount of finished product because 



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