228 PRACTICAL POULTRY PRODUCTION 



Other factors that affect the color of the shanks are the 

 nature of the soil and the extent of grass on the range or 

 yard to which the flocks have access. For instance, some 

 kinds of soil tend to bleach the color out of the shanks and 

 it has also been noticed that fowls on grass range do not lose 

 this color as rapidly as those in bare yards. Hens that show 

 bright or medium-colored shanks are most usually poor 

 layers. Occasionally, however, poor layers may show pale 

 or white shanks. This is especially true with a sick hen or 

 one in poor condition. In breeds where the shanks show a 

 horn color as well as yellow, as in the case of the Rhode 

 Island Reds, the horn color must not be confused with yel- 

 low. In such cases the absence of yellow color will be noted 

 on the rear and sides of the shanks. The correct color of 

 the shanks for the standard breeds will be found on 

 pages 348, 349. 



Condition of shank- Another characteristic which may 

 be found in some high producers is the flexibility of the 

 skin on the rear of the shanks. As laying progresses the 

 skin becomes loose and pliable and a groove or depression 

 forms on the sides of the shanks. This condition is not 

 apparent to such an extent on poor or fair layers. 



Beak color. In such breeds as have yellow beaks prac- 

 tically the same principle appHes as in the case of the yellow 

 shanks. The beak color, however, is lost from the beak 

 more quickly than from the shanks, as the hen starts laying, 

 and is likewise regained more quickly when she stops lay- 

 ing. The lower half of the beak fades out faster than the 

 upper half. The lower half of the beak may be used as a 

 guide in this connection in individuals where the upper beak 

 is horn color or black. 



Vent color. In breeds having a yellow skin the yellow 

 color immediately surrounding the vent is quickly lost when 

 laying begins and is likewise regained quickly when the bird 



