Normal Ovulation in Non-Laying Hens

OVULATION and the subsequent laying of a normal egg, usually within 26 hours, are preceded and accompanied by certain changes in the body of the hen. The external characters that are associated with an active state of egg production are well known and are used as the basis for the periodic culling of commercial laying flocks. By the absence of external changes considered indicative of egg production, one is able to identify non-layers and to remove them from the flock, if so desired. It is customary to consider as layers those birds which show the external characteristics associated with egg production. We have learned, however, that some birds behave as though they were laying, and show appropriate changes in body condition, without actually producing an egg. This paper presents the pertinent findings when groups of such birds were subjected to study. SOURCES OF DATA Among large populations of pedigreed White …