POULTRY RAISING. 
117 
enough, or strong enough, for parent stock. Select the pullet that 
grows to a good size quickly and lays continuously for a long period. 
SELECTION ACCORDING TO FORM. 
Many rely on selecting their best laying fowls by merely studying 
the form, or in other words, they believe that there is a characteristic 
egg type. Trap nest records seem to indicate that this rule is variable 
to some extent, at least. One should be able to select by form with fair 
success, as it has been noticed that hens with crow heads, that is, long, 
peaked heads, are seldom good layers. The same is true of hens Jhat 
are unusually long legged. All those that are crooked breasted, or in 
any way deformed, should be discarded, not for fear that the chicks 
will inherit the deformity, but because it shows weakness; a bird with 
a crooked breast cannot present a very good appearance on the stand 
in the market. It is essential, however, to know by form and type which 
ones should be kept. Some of the most important factors relating to 
form, aiding in selection, are embodied in the following: A triangular 
shape, with deep, broad bodies, showing a large capacity for egg pro¬ 
duction, well sprung ribs and flat backs that broaden out toward the 
rump. Some claim that they can readily tell the good producers by 
a large space between the pelvic bones. Careful examination of a num¬ 
ber of hens will show that in some cases, at least, there is a variation 
in the distance between these bones. 
SELECTION OF GOOD FEEDERS. 
The appetite of the lien is some indication as to her productive capac¬ 
ity. Those with good appetites will meet one at the door at feeding time 
and, if at all tame, may hop on to the feed basket. They will scratch 
the litter about the pen in a vigorous way in search of hidden grains, 
and may be heard singing away contentedly as they work. They will 
always be active, never drooping around, the pen or staying on the roosts 
after the others have left, in fact, the first hen about in the morning 
may usually be considered one of the best producers. The reason for 
this is simple. If she requires just food enough to supply the wear 
and tear of the body it will not take her long to secure it, but if she 
is a good egg manufacturing machine, a large supply of fuel is needed 
to keep the mechanism running. The fuel furnishing this energy is 
found in the food consumed. 
SELECTION AND AGE. 
A question that attracts considerable attention relates to the age 
of the hens to produce eggs for incubation. Many people disapprove 
of eggs from pullets, but we believe those secured from pullets that have 
laid all winter and from yearling hens with good records are the most 
satisfactory. Extra good producers may be kept for breeding stock 
until their third or fourth year, or even longer, but usually hens coming 
two years old make the best breeders. Rut if hens have extra good 
records they should be kept as long- as they continue to do well. It 
would be a decided advantage if we could breed hens capable of main¬ 
taining a high standard of production for several years. All of the 
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