The Physiological Relation between Fecundity and the Natural Yellow Pigmentation of Certain Breeds of Fowls.

Work in the Department of Poultry Husbandry and Dairy Chemistry Laboratory, University of Missouri have led to the conclusion that explanations of why the shanks of yellow skinned varieties of fowls fade when heavy laying occurs are unsatisfactory. Practical poultrymen have recognized for several years that a close relation exists between the amount of yellow pigment in the shanks, ear lobes, beak, etc., of hens of certain breeds of poultry. Data collected at various Experiment Stations especially at the Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station, show that in hens which naturally carry yellow pigmentation, a positive correlation exists between pale shanks, ear lobes, beak, etc., and a more or less heavy egg production. The results show, however, that use of this observation as a practical guide in the selection of heavy and light laying hens must be made only immediately after the close of the laying season.

The hypothesis which has been . . .