Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1911 — LOOK AT THE BIRD’S NAILS [ARTICLE]

LOOK AT THE BIRD’S NAILS

In Selecting Good Laying Hen Evldence of Scratching Ability Is of Utmost Importance. Columbia, Mo. —"Chickens with short toenails are the best egg layers," said Prof. J. E. Rice, poultry expert for Cornell university, addressing students of the Agricultural College of the University of Missouri. “These chickens have short toenails," he said, "from continuous scratching for food, and a chicken that is constantly scratching for food is sure to be industrious." The hen of the olden time, Professor Rice saldr laid on an average only 18 eggs a year, while the modern hen of pure breed will lay from one to two hundred eggs annually.