4-H POULTRY JUDGING EVENTS
JUDGING PAST EGG PRODUCTION HENS
In past egg production classes, four live hens are judged and ranked
according to the number of eggs they have laid before the contest. They are
ranked from the most eggs produced to the least.
First place the class on pigmentation.
The
hen that has bleached the most should be placed first.
If two birds have the same
pigment loss, use handling quality to split
the pair.
The
bird with the better handling quality is placed above the other.
Two birds with equal
bleaching and handling quality are placed on differences in abdominal capacity.
The
hen with the larger abdomen is the better layer.
Health and vigor are not used in placing the birds,
but
these factors should be described when giving oral
reasons.
In a
poultry judging contest, participants are able to handle the hens, but only one
at a time.
It is not
possible to compare hens side-by-side.
To
accurately place a class of hens it is important to make detailed
notes on
the
pigmentation, handling qualities, abdominal capacity and molt for each hen.
These notes
are then used to place the class.