Poultry Judging Practice Test

When hens go out of lay, pigment returns how fast compared to how fast it bleaches from their body parts?

1. Twice as fast

2. Three times as fast

3. Four times as fast

4. The same rate

The correct answer is: Three times as fast

The correct answer reflects the biological process of pigment loss and return in hens as it relates to their laying cycles. When hens cease laying eggs, the pigments in their feathers, skin, and other body parts, which previously underwent bleaching during the laying phase, return at a rate that is significantly quicker than the bleaching process. Specifically, studies indicate that the reappearance of pigment can occur at a rate estimated to be three times faster compared to the rate at which the pigment is lost during the laying phase. This phenomenon is largely due to hormonal changes that occur when hens stop laying, which can stimulate the re-deposition of pigments more rapidly. Understanding this dynamic helps poultry judges in assessing the condition and age of hens, as the presence or absence of pigment can indicate their reproductive status and overall health.