JUDGING PAST EGG PRODUCTION HENS
PIGMENTATION
Leghorn hens used for egg
production have yellow-pigmented skin, beak, shanks, and feet while the bird is
a growing pullet.
At sexual maturity, which is
16-22 weeks of age, she starts to lay eggs.
Pigment loss is the first
characteristic that should be used to place the class. The hen that has
bleached the most should be placed first.
The pigment bleaches from the
pigmented areas in a definite order according to the approximate number of eggs
she has laid.
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Order of pigment loss: 1.
Vent 2.
Eye ring 3.
Ear lobe 4.
Beak (corner of the mouth towards the tip) 5.
Bottom of feet 6.
Entire shank (front, back and sides) 7.
Hock and top of toes |
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Hens regain their pigment when they stop production, as in a molt.
The pigment returns to the skin in the same order it is bleached: vent,
eye ring, ear lobe, beak, bottom of the foot, entire shank, hock and tops of
the toes.
Hens that show signs of re-pigmentation are poor producers.
So don't forget to look at the face and vent for pigmentation - not just
the shanks.