CULLING THE FLOCK 225 



wise marked so that eggS from them will be saved for hatch- 

 ing. The hens culled as poor producers should be marketed 

 as soon as possible, so as to realize an immediate saving on 

 the feed consumed. The best time to cull is during the lat- 

 ter part of August or the first part of September. It is 

 comparatively easy at this time of the year to form a fairly 

 close estimate of the relative value of a hen as to its ability 

 to produce eggs and hkewise to cull out the poor producers. 

 Hens that show indications of laying at this time have as a 

 rule been the better producers for the year. The fact should 

 be kept in mind also that hens that have been good layers 

 during their first laying year are usually the ones that will 

 be the better producers in the second and third years. Hens 

 showing positive indications of having been good producers 

 throughout the year should be retained for the next year 

 regardless of their age. Relatively few hens, however, will 

 prove to be profitable producers beyond their second laying 

 year, if they are of the heavier breeds, such as the Plymouth 

 Rock or Wyandotte, or beyond their third laying year, if they 

 are of the lighter breeds, such as the Leghorn. When possi- 

 ble, preliminary culling during July is desirable also in order 

 to eliminate hens which have started to molt and have 

 stopped laying for reasons mentioned under "Molt." 



Method of culling. There are several points which re- 

 quire special attention in selecting the good layers. (See 

 Culling Chart in the Appendix.) It is a comparatively 

 easy matter to cull when the different characteristics or 

 several of them agree as indicating good production or 

 poor production. Experience, however, will show that there 

 is not always an agreement of indications. When such char- 

 acteristics do not agree, one's judgment must be used in 

 deciding which should be given the greatest weight. The 

 following are the principal points to be considered: 



Sickness and lach. of Vigor. Sick fowls can ordinarily bs 



