CULLINa THE FLOCK 



227 



the summer, and complete their molt before the better pro- 

 ducers begin. Early molters molt slowly while this process 

 is more rapid with the better producers, or late molters. 



In considering these facts, therefore, save the hens that 

 have not started to molt by the last of August or are just 

 beginning to molt in September. Some hens molt as late as 

 December. Discard those 

 that have finished molting 

 or are well into the molt by 

 the end of August. The 

 hens that molt last, provid- 

 ed they are otherwise de- 

 sirable, are the ones that 

 should be saved for the 

 breeding pen. 



The hen that has not 

 molted can be told bj' the 

 fact that the plumage is 

 soiled, worn, or broken, 

 which indications are es- 

 pecially evident in the tail 

 feathers. Those that have 

 molted or are in the process of molting show clean, fresh 

 plumage or are growing new feathers. 



Culling out the early molters just as soon as they begin 

 to molt is one of the easiest ways to eliminate the poor layers. 



Shank color. The degree of leg or shank color in those 

 breeds or varieties having yellow legs should hkewise be 

 considered in culling the flock. In such birds it will be 

 noticed that the color of the shank fades out as the laying 

 season advances and the rapidity and degree of the fading 

 of color depends to a great extent on the heaviness of laying. 

 As the color leaves the legs it fades from the scales on the 

 front of the shanks first, and later from those on the rear. 



Figure 219. — A Barred Plymouth Rock 

 hen that has completed the molt. 



