4-H POULTRY JUDGING EVENT

PAST PRODUCTION HENS

Contest setup

In an actual contest:

Ø A class of past production hens is composed of four hens.

Ø Each hen is kept in its own cage. Each cage has a number on it, usually numbered 1 to 4 going from left to right.

Ø To place a class, each hen is removed for its cage, evaluated, and then return to its cage. The hen must NOT be given to another contestant. Contestants may NOT compare hens with others in the class by holding them next to each other.

Ø To make sure that the hens are returned to the correct cage, pairs of colored leg bands are used. One of the pair of bands is placed on the leg of the hen and the other on the correct cage. When returning a hen to a cage, contestants must make sure that the leg band color matches the color of the band on the cage. Similarly, to make sure they have the correct hen when it is removed for evaluation, participants should compare the colors of the leg band on the bird with that on the cage it was removed from.

Ø Notes are made for each hen, describing her persistency and intensity factors, as well as health and vigor. The notes are then used to place the class. The hen that has laid the most eggs to date is placed first and the poorest layer is placed last.

In the computer program:

Ø Each practice contest is set up to simulate the conditions of a real contest. Therefore, you can only view one hen at time.

Ø After each hen is evaluated (from various photos), the rank order of the hens is chosen. If it is correct, you can move on to oral reasons. If it is incorrect, a hint or two is given and you are directed to try again.

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