steps in evaluation
What is the first step in evaluating Laying Hens?
bleaching
What is the definition of bleaching?
The process in which the hen loses its pigment
How do you test for AC?
Using your fingers measure between pubic to pubic and pubic to keel
How many eggs has a bird laid in 4 – 5 weeks
20-25
What is step 3 in the Laying Hen process and the percentage?
Plumage Condition and Molt
List the first 4 steps of bleaching in order
1. Vent
2. Eye Ring
3. Ear Lobe
4. Base of Beak
How do you evaluate HQ?
By seeing if there is fat on the pubic bone, and by how thick or thin the skin is.
Moist, large vent and oblong in shape
What are you looking at when you are evaluating vigor and vitality?
The bird is alert and energetic
What is step 5 of the evaluation process
head and head parts
about how many weeks does it take for a bird to totally bleach out?
20-30 weeks
what is the abdomial compacity?
measured and expressed by ones fingers width
Describe the appearance of the head and head parts
Eyes are bright alert and round
comb and wattles are large bright red and glossy
What is the 2nd step in evaluation
Abdominal Capacity and Handling Quality
What are the final 4 steps in bleaching?
Tip of Beak
Bottom of Foot
Shank
Hock and Top of Toes
Which do you look at first? AC or HQ
Abdominal Capacity
What do the feathers of a high producing hen look like?
Frayed, ragged, dirty and dull
What is the 4th step in evaluation
Constitutional Vigor and Vitality
How can you determine if a hen has stopped laying?
Pigmentation has returned
What would cause you to look at AC?
You have 2 birds that are bleached to the same spot
How many eggs could a laying hen lay in total?
180 eggs