When looking for hens to put into the stock loft, the ones to use are hens that were consistent as young birds. Those that got amongst the leading birds regularly, particularly when the race velocity came down to 1200 ypm and below. It is a fact that the majority of good stock hens, breed their best youngsters in their first year, and many a champion has come from a maiden egg.
Taken from The secret of Speed
by E. J. Sains