Don't kill the laying hen

Front matter

ST

I aass_i^^^^^T

Book t5

Contents

Page

Preface 7

The Object of Secrecy 9

Preface

N presenting this book, containing the results of many years of investigation among fowls, I have been greatly encouraged by many practical poultrymen who have led me to realize that my investigations were really revealing some new truths in reference to poultry culture. I must confess that w4ien I first took up this work, there was no hint or suggestion that so many hens had defective egg-producing organs; and I believe this is the first book which has attempted to point out a way to detect and determine these defects.

My first booklet, entitled "Don't Kill the Laying Hen," was made short and concise, so it might be easily understood. Many important points were intentionally omitted pending further investigations, as I did not want to advance any theories until I had carefully tried them out myself. After two years of almost constant observation of my own fiock, and after collecting the specimens which are shown herein, I feel sure that poultry keepers will not only gain some new points from this book, but will also see reasons for many actions in their hens which they have noticed, and hence will be ready to accept what I have to offer.

I do not pretend to give in this book a complete treatise on the care of fowls; but simply aim to give an account of my discoveries in regard to egg formation and development. There is yet much to learn about the hen and I hope that every purchaser of this book will join me in studying how to eliminate the non-laying hen, which will most certainly increase our poultry profits.

THE OBJECT OF SECRECY

AWMAKERS believe it just and right to make laws that protect an invention, in order that the inventor could not be robbed by others that have expended neither time nor thought on the invention. Also, by not having protection the would-be inventor would have no incentive or courage to put forth his best thoughts and energy to perfect the invention that might prove to be of great value to the public and to himself. Therefore the patent laws were enacted.

Certain articles can only be protected by copyright. This is protection to a certain degree, and no further ; as far as this law reaches it is very strong. Beyond this point the author is at the mercy of the imposing public. In my case a portion of my time and best thoughts for the last twelve years have been spent in investigation along this line on the subject ^hat is taken up in the booklet.

I fully believe the public is able and willing to pay for this valuable knowledge, and thus remunerate for time and thought spent.

HOW THE EGG GROWS

HE two organs that perform the most important part in producing the egg are the ovary and oviduct. The ovary is attached to the back bone, and is over the one joint in the back (or very close to the joint), v^hich is about the center of the body. The oviduct starts from the ovary, laying in folds on the left side of the back bone, and extends to the point of egg delivery, and if the duct were unfolded it would be 18 or 24 inches long.

The ovary is the organ which forms the germ that eventually will be the full-grown egg. Its part of the work is to mature the yolk, and when it fully reaches this condition the outer covering of the yolk ruptures and allows it, with its more delicate inner covering, to drop out into the mouth of the oviduct. It then passes through the oviduct, and in the first 5 or 6 inches of its journey it receives its coating of albumin, or what is called the white of the egg. The albumin is brought in by circulation and stored in cells in the oviduct, and as the yolk passes through the albumin secreted is gathered by the yolk. After this part of the work is finished the two substances have to be sacked and sealed. For the next 6 or i2 DonH Kill the Laying Hen

7 inches of its journey this sack is growing around it, and in the last few inches of its journey the shell is formed ; then the Q^g is laid and the work is finished.

When the hen is laying regularly under natural conditions shortly after an egg has been laid another yolk is received into the oviduct and repeats the same process.

If the hen should be laying an Qgg every day it would make this journey every twenty-four hours. The ovary is the most important part of the organ, and governs the quantity of eggs laid; as the organ becomes impaired very easily and loses its full power to produce the germ that is to be developed into the full-grown Qgg, often the germ that has been produced becomes weakened and cannot develop and after a time withers and dies, thus causing a diseased condition. This partly explains why some hens produce two or three times as many eggs as others under the same care and feed.

When we consider that the Q^g contains two distinct parts and the delicate covering required to hold the substance, it must surely take a very complicated piece of machinery to produce it, and it is not to be wondered at that it is easily thrown out of working condition, to which reference is made further on.

HOAV NATURE CONTROLS THE LAYING ORGANS.

In order to better understand why it is possible to separate the non-laying from the laying hen, it is quite necessary for one to become somewhat familiar with the

Doii^t Kill the Laying Hen 13

laying organs of the hen and how they are controlled by nature's laws.

The laj/ing organs oi the pullet grow as she matures, and when she has become full grown the laying organs are fully developed, but are in a dormant or dry state. They continue in this state until egg development takes place. Egg development might start as soon as the pullet reaches full maturity if conditions were right, but, if not, would continue in this dormant state until conditions were right to start egg development. This development is dependent upon favorable or unfavorable conditions. Egg development starts by a stimulated circulation, or what might be called a secondary circulation. This circulation progresses no faster than it can be spared from the body, and hence egg development may be fast or slow. This point will be more fully taken up under another head.

In order that the reader mav better understand, it must be remembered that before any egg development takes place, or while the pullet's or hen's laying organs are in a dormant or dry state, the organs are very small and contracted, showing no signs of circulation. But when egg development begins numerous veins that have been lying dormant start to develop. At first they are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye, but enlarge and increase in activity as development increases, and the hen starts laying, provided conditions were not changed so as to retard or delay the development. However, it is the circulation that is bringing the entire laying organs into action or full working order.

14 DonH Kill the Lay big Hen

While these organs are developing there is a corresponding relaxation and expansion of the organs, which continues during egg development. When the full developed point is reached the organs are many times larger than while in the dry state. Now some of the once tiny germs (no larger than a pin head) have developed to the full-grown yolk, ready to rupture and be taken into the oviduct, where it receives its coating of albumin, is sacked, sealed and coated with shell material, and delivered in a marketable condition.

When full egg development has been reached the time has not been spent in developing just the one yolk, but several have been started and are in different stages of growth. When the full developed stage is reachi'd <ill functions that have anything to do with egg production are fully prepared to do the task appointed by nature.

Ligaments that were once contracted have now become relaxed ; veins that were lying dormant have become expanded, and in proper condition to transmit the substances necessary to the growth of the egg.

The ovary sack that was very small and contracted in the dormant state has now, in the fully developed state, become greatly enlarged, or large enough to hold from six to ten various sized yolks. The intestines that occu^ pied this space when the laying organs were dormant have had to take another position, allowing the full ovary sack to occupy its space. The yolk that is to take the journey through 20 inches or more of oviduct to complete the work must not be crowded, and the ligaments that

Bon^t Kill the Laying Hen 15

were holding the intestines well up have become relaxed and allow the intestines to take a low position, leaving room for the egg that is to pass through the duct. If the description given has been well understood it will be seen that conditions with the laying are much different from the non-laying hen, and by becoming familiar with these conditions the laying or non-laying hen can be known.

THE SECRET OF THE POTTER SYSTEM.

The information contained in this booklet is but the revelation of nature's own law relative to the egg-laying functions of the hen and is the result of careful investigation and many years of close study in this line.

Every hen has what are known as lay bones. These two small bones are connected to the under part of the frame of the back bone, and are joined nearly their entire length by ligaments and muscle tissues. In the ordinary hen they are about 2 inches long, and at the extreme end of the back bone they turn inwards, projecting about one-half or three-quarters of an inch, pointing towards each other. By referring to cut No. 1 the reader will readily see just where these bones are located, a little below and on either side of the egg vent the ends of the bones showing prominently under the skin. These bones are so fastened to the frame by tissues that they are slightly movable, and they are firmly attached farther back to the main frame of the back bone and the bone is

.J di o

S w

I I

Fig. 4

S^^^^^^p^lt^A^^f O/ff "4 °1 Fig. 1- Showing Laying Organs of Fig. 2-

Full Doimant State. Pull Laying State.

L. — Ovary.

O.— Oviduct.

so jointed (see cut No. 3) that it can spread and give room as required for egg development, or as the eggs become larger and more numerous.

The secret of selecting laying hens is by the examination of these lay bones. It is upon their laxness or rigidity, their position, whether closed or open, that the laying condition of the hen can be determined, as is explained in detail in the following pages.

HOW TO PICK OUT THE NON-LAYING HEN.

The ''Lay Bone" Test— Test No. 1.

In selecting the laying or non-laying hens from a flock it is, of course, necessary to make an examination of each hen, and the best time to do this is shorly after they have gone to roost. In order to make a thorough examination the most convenient method is to first grasp the hen by the legs with the right hand, thrust her head and neck under your left arm, pressing your arm towards the body so that her head may be held securely, allowing the body to lay somewhat on the arm. Then take hold of the legs with the left hand, and your right hand is entirely free to make the examination.

As was mentioned in a previous paragraph, the position and condition of the lay bones largely determine the laying or non-laying condition of the hen. The distance be* tween the bones, whether thoy are lax or rigid, and the condition of ligament between the bones, whether it is in a contracted or relaxed condition, will determine very closely the dry or developing conditions of the laying organs.

I shall suppose, now, that you thoroughly understand the dry or dormant state of the organs and the full laying or developing conditions, and you will be able to understand why these conditions that I explain further on are to be found in the hens as described.

Method of Measurement.

For ease and convenience of measuring the distance between the lay bones I have found nothing better than the fingers (your fingers you always have with you), and by following out my method of holding the hen this will be found the quickest and best way. The size of the fingers varies in different persons somewhat, and this must be considered. Further, the lay bones of hens that have laid one season are usually a little farther apart in the dry state than pullets' are before any egg development has taken place ; also the distance apart varies a little in different breeds; but by following closely my directions in practice the unit of measurement will be found sufficiently exact to make the selections.

If you do not care to make a very thorough examination a fairly good test can be made as they sit on the roost, and if one is found that you are suspicious of it can be handled as has been described (Test No. 1). For example, if the lay bones are found in an almost closed position, as is shown in cut No. 5, allowing but the widtn of one finger between them, if they are found to be quite rigid and do not yield readily when placing the points of Ihumb and finger between them gently trying to separate them, also if you find by pressing lightly in between the bones lliat the ligament is in a contracted state, the skin quite thick and hard above and below the ligament; also if the space between the hip bones, just above the point of delivery, is found to be very narrow and contracted, it will be safe to conclude that the hen's laying organs are in a dry and dormant stale, as in cuts Nos. 3, 13 or 14.

Test No. 2, Or the Bowel Test.

To have further proof of the hen's condition a second test may be applied by opening the hand and reaching up from the lower part of the abdomen with the fingers on the right side and the thumb on the left side. By sliding the hand up, allowing the ends of the thumb and fingers to follow along the lower edges of the frame of the back bone, or between the breast bone and the frame of the back. Now. when your finger ends and thumb are about one-third the .jstance up the body, or in the soft and boneless part of the body, your thumb and finger ends are very close to each side of the ovary and Qg^ sack. However, if the laying organs are in the dormant state, as the lay bones have indicated, the point in question will be found, by gently closing the hand, to be quite empty. Now close the hand gently and draw it back to the lower point of the abdomen, still closing the fingers and thumb, ap4 you will find that you have nothing between them

Fig. 5

Showing the Back-bone, AVith the Projecting Lay-Bones Nearly Closed. This is the Position of the Bones in the Non-Laying Hen.

but an empty abdomen sack, which indicates that the laying organs are in the dormant state, and thus gives us further proof of the hen's condition.

The hollowness, emptiness and gauntness on each side of the egg sack (see cut No, 1) shows that it is empty, and the empty abdomen shows that the intestines are well up in the back, as is their natural position when the laying organs are in a dry or dormant state. This empty abdomen sack, as I see fit to call it, is there to receive the intestines when the hen is full of eggs or in laying condition. I do not mean to say that a hen in this condition will never lay again, but it does show that the laying organs are in an inactive state. All hens get in this condition in the molting season, or when she has laid out her batch of eggs and been allowed to sit on the nest for six or eight days, which time it takes for the laying organs to go back to the full dry or dormant state, and when in this condition a hen could not be expected to begin laying again for three or four weeks, which point is more fully explained on page 44.

HOW TO DETERMINE THE FIRST STAGES OF EGG DEVELOPMENT.

Test No. 1.

If upon examination the lay bones are found somewhat more than a finger's width apart, and by placing the thumb and finger between them and gently trying to separate them they seem to show a little laxity, and also by pressing the finger lightly down between them you find the ligament to be somewhat more lax than in the entirely dry state, and the skin above the ligament seems to be thinner and softer, also the skin above the point of delivery, and surrounding this part, is found to be more lax than in the full dry state, it is quite safe to conclude that egg development has started and circulation in the organs has taken place. The ligaments having relaxed somewhat and the cartilage softened between the joints, allow bones to spread and give a little. This first stage of egg development (See cut No. 6) is not very easily determined, as circulation is too slight to give very much outward sign, but as the development advances signs that have been described will be more prominent and readily detected. If undecided, allow a week to pass and then make another examination, and if egg development has started the signs will be more prominent and a better decision can be made.

It might be stated at this point that the circulation that develops the egg is not a positive or continuous one. It might be called a secondary circulation, and if the body fell short of substance, or had no surplus to spare for egg development the flow would be retarded until the body again had an excess. Thus it can be understood that egg development can make a start and be checked or retarded at almost any point; so it may be understood that if no advancement is being made more time must be given for development.

Fig. 6

Sh.owing the Ovary and Oviduct in a Stage of Development, in Healthy

State.

TO KNOW HOW FAR THE HEN IS TOWARD THE LAYING POINT.

The ''Bowel" Test, Or Test No. 2.

If in making an examination the lay bones are wide enough apart to admit two fingers, as shown in cut No. 8, the ligament that was in a very contracted state when the hen's laying organs were in a dry, dormant condition has now become softer and more lax, also the skin above the ligaments has become thinner, and the contracted state is found farther down than in the full dry state. Also by keeping the points of the fingers close together, placing them just above the point of delivery, it is found to be quite soft and lax, and hip bones farther apart, you may conclude egg development is well advanced and reached about the stage shown in cut No. 7, and the largest ovaries might be about the size of hazelnuts or a little larger. These are conditions that will be found as hens start laying in the first part of the laying season.

To further prove the stage of development you can now make test No. 2, or the bowel test, as was described on page 20. If in making the examination it is found that at the point, as shown by end of thumb and first finger (See cut No. 2), each side of the ovary or egg sack is much fuller and filling up, and the abdomen sack is filling also, it is safe to conclude that the hen is well advanced toward the laying point, and the egg sack is filled with yolks of various sizes. (See cut No. 7.)

Fig. 7

Showing a Well Advanced Laying Organ, in Healthy State. L.— Ovary. O.— Oviduct.

Fig. 8

Showing the Lay Bones Open the Width of Two Fingers. The Eggs In

a Hen in This Condition Will Have Grown to About the Size

Shown in Fig. 7.

HOW TO PICK OUT THE HEN THAT IS LAYING.

If in examining her the lay bones are found wide enough apart to admit about three lingers, as shown in cuts Nos. 2 and 10, and are quite lax so they can be opened or closed easily by pressing them gently; the ligament that was contracted when the laying organs were in the dormant state has now become relaxed and but little trace is found of it, then it is safe to conclude that the hen is in full and strong laying condition. (See cuts. Nos. 2, -i and 9). Of course, she might have just laid out a batch of eggs and the bones still be in this condition ; but to prove it you will apply test No. 2. By finding the condition of the egg and abdomen sack, as was described under the head of "How to Pick Out the Non-Laying Hen," and if the points in question are well filled and rounded out (See cut No. 2) the hen without doubt is in full laying condition. The eggs will be in all stages of development, similar as shown in cuts Nos. 4 and 9.

TO KNOW THE HENS THAT ARE THE MOST PRO- LIFIC LAYERS.

To most poultrymen it would seem quite impossible to pick from a flock of hens the most prolific layers without the use of the ti\ip nest, but in this article I propose to give the results of a careful and extended investigation which I have made of this subject, and it may not prove so difficult, after all.

DonH Kill ilie Laying Ben 2d

I will now assume the reader has become familiar with some of the laws that control the laying organs, and, with the help of the cuts showing the various conditions of these organs, I think it will be plainly seen that the hen laying the most prolifically can be known. First, it is apparent that a hen laj^ing six eggs a week must have nearly twice as many eggs under development that the hen would have that was only laying three eggs. Admitting this to be true, the greater number would require a larger egg sack to contain them and the larger egg sack would require a larger amount of room in the hen's body than a smaller one, and consequently the hen having the larger egg sack would be more distended at the points opposite to or on either side of the egg sack, and by making an examination as has been explained, also comparisons (See cut No. 2) a difference in distended sides can be readily noted. By further reasoning, the hen producing the larger number of eggs must necessarily consume more food and thus have a larger crop at roosting time, and this I call the crop test. And it follows that the intestines handling the larger amount of food would also be more distended. On examination of the abdomen sack (See cut No. 2) at the same time will show the sides opposite the egg sack are quite full and well distended. It has been explained that the hen having the laying organs in a dry or dormant state, has the intestines occupying the space well up in the back, or the space the laying organs occupy when they are in a full laying condition, and also that as they develop into a

Fig. 9

Showing Organs in Full Laying Condition-Organs in Healthy State

Fig. 10

Showing tlio Lay Bones Open the Width of Three Fingers. The Hen Is

in Full Laying Condition, as Shown in Cut on Other Page.

laying state the intestines take a low position and fill the abdomen sack that has been relaxing (See cut No. 2, showing full abdomen sack), thus alloAving room for the Qgg that has to pass through the ovary duct to be completed. The space between the lay bones, and their laxness, must not be overlooked in making an examination to determine whether the hen is laying prolifically or not; if the hen is laying nearly every day the lay bones will be found to be further apart and more lax than the hen that is laying less frequently.

There will be very few exceptions to this rule unless the hen should be an old one, as a certain percentage of hens that have laid more than one season become somewhat bone-bound, and cannot respond to these laws of nature, and would be laying more often than the distance between the lay bones would indicate. However, the hens in the first laying season can be relied upon with but very few exceptions. It is safe to conclude that the hen is laying nearly every day when the lay bones are fully opened to the width of three fingers and when gently pressing down between the ])onos the ligaments and skin are found quite soft and relaxed; also that the bones can be opened and closed easily. A hen that is layino: every day has a very strong circulation through the laying organs. And let it be understood that as circulation increases the relaxed condition increases, and consequently all parts that have anything to do with the laying organs will become more relaxed and distended. I have given tlirec tests that prove the laying conditions of a hen, and I shall

DoYiH Kill the TAn/inr/ Hen 33

call them ''Lay Bone Test No. 1," "Bowel Test No. 2'* and ''Crop Test No. 3.'*

Another test that I have not mentioned before is made by placing the fingers astride the back part of the breast bone and drawing them back to the very back point, and if it is found that the abdomen drops down considerably loAver than the point of the breast bone it is additional proof that the ovary sack is well filled with yolks and the intestines hang down to make further room for egg formation. This condition must not be confused with the over-fat condition, which will be explained and illustrated later. This test may be used in connection with the regular abdomen test. In making them it will be found in nearly every case that the three tests will agree and one will prove the other. For example, if the lay bones are well open the abdomen sack will be found to be well filled and the sides of the hen's body at points on each side of ovary sack, as shown in cut No. 2, will be well distended ; also if the hen has had access to all the feed her appetite called for the crop would be filled in accordance to the other conditions. I wish to emphasize the fact that a hen that is producing an egg nearly e\ery day has to consume a large amount of food, and the appetite and instinct of the foAvl provides or sees to it that the crop is well supplied with food just before roosting time to supply the mill that is to grind the material to produce eggs, and to one wishing to select the best layers out of a flock the crop test is a very important and true guide, of which I shall have more to say under another head; the other tests are very reliable and practical. A very enthusiastic and successful pbultryman told me that one of his hens laid fifty-six eggs in fifty-six days, and the fifty-seventh day no Qg^ was laid. But during the time these eggs were laid the hen's lay bones were open to the extent of four fingers. The over-fat hen in tests Nos. 1 and 2 may show a misleading condition, and the crop test will prova to be the most reliable guide.

Some allowance must be made for the size of the hen in considering the distance between the lay bones. The back or frame of the small breed is much narrower, and consequently the bones are closer together when the laying organs are in a dry state, and in the laying state do not open so wide as the larger framed hen.

To anyone having a large number of hens running together it may seem a task to go over the whole flock and make an examination of each hen. To these I sugg^est that they separate the poor layers from the good by follo"\ving out the plans as described under the head "How to Separate Poor Layers From the Good Without Handling Them,** and then a test can be made of those that have been separated, and if there has been a mistnke made it will be discovered by making an examination.

Don^t Kill the Lai/inf/ Hen 35

TO KNOW HOW AND WHEN TO CULL THE NON- AND POOR LAYERS OUT OF THE FLOCK.

There are several important facts to be considered under this head which might be called the most important part of the entire subject. There are complicated conditions to be understood, as well as simpler parts of the subject that have been explained under other heads and may be repeated here to make you more thoroughly familiar Avith and to better understand the conditions.