THE PROBLEMS IN MATING AND IN EGG PRODUCTION 107 



varies with individuals and is an inherited cliaracter. The 

 laying period commences slow, then is intensive, and slows 

 down again near the end, or as the bird passes into her vaca- 

 tion period. 



The later in the year a hen lays, the less the chance to pick 

 up large amounts of pigment. For this reason late layers 

 laying over a period of eight to ten months are not so likely 

 to regain high color during their vacation. 



4 



Fig. 40. — Normal functionating reproductive organs of a Single Comb 

 White Leghorn hen. 1, Ova forming yolks; 2, folds of the oviduct; 3, an 

 egg in the shell-gland portion (uterus); 4, rectum; 5, the retroperitoneal 

 fat storehouse ; 6, the hver. 



Birds may have an inherited tendency to high egg produc- 

 tion but by improper feed and no animal feed, as milk or 

 meat meal, will lay poorly and hence molt early, whereas if 

 they had been properly fed and given milk or meat meal or 

 both, they would have laid more eggs and molted later. 

 Therefore in culling care and feed must be. taken into consid- 

 eration. Culling should be done in July and August. 



A METHOD OF JUDGING FOWLS FOR EGG PRODUCTION 



As Formulated at the Judging School held at Cornell 

 University, Ithaca, N. Y. July 1-6, 1918, and Approved by 



