Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-08-28
COPYRIGHT, 1915.


Egg production is affected greatly
by the mating, Matching and selection
of the stock used. Mr.. Hicks advises
the selection of a strain bred for lay
ing and the constant culling OF birds
that lack vigor. He advises that early
Matching be practiced, so the pullets
may begin laying in the Fall.
TIME production of market eggs has
always been the most profitable
end of all poultry enterprises in
the past. and there is every prospect
that this condition will continue for
years to come.
Anyone who is producing broilers
and roasters must replace his flock
every year. This makes his incubation
and brooding problems far greater
than those of one engaged simply In
producing eggs for market. A hen
will lay profitably two years, and
many of them for three years.
Since the greatest profit is in the
production of eggs, 1t is important
that eggs be produced in the greatest
quantities when the demand for them
is strongest and the prices highest.
The time when the egg production is
the lowest is from September to Janu-
ary.
In the early Fall months, the hens
going through a heavy moult and the
majority of the pullets raised on the
average farm are not yet ready for
heavy laying.
AS soon as the hens have completed
their moult, cold weather begins to
have a serious effect on egg produc-
tion. In fact, even in February and
March, when the production has In
creased considerably, sudden changes
to cold weather will lower the egg
m af
raise the price of eggs on the market.
Selection of Breed Important
In connection with egg production
an important thing to consider is the
breed best suited for the purpose. 1t
must be a breed that will come to
maturity, quickly, stand heavy feeding,
and go through the moult quickly and
easily. Nonsitting is another impor-
tant factor.
The White Leghorn has proven itself
to be by far the most economical pro-
ducer, considered from practically
every STANDPOINT. The Leghorn, how
ever, is not a meat-producing breed,
yet many people engaged in egg pro-
duction realize a nice amount from
young cockerels, sold at "a to l Y
pounds, and known as squad broilers.
In the early part of the season they
bring as high as forty cents pound
gross.
The effect of mating on the produc-
tion of eggs is only shown after years
of careful breeding. 1t does not show
quickly like an improvement in color
or shape, because the production of
eggs is largely matter of high vital
ity and ability to digest large quanti-
ties of feed.
Increase the Average Production
In mating for egg production both
males and females should be used that
a g hTPd
for egg production. They should be
from a family of heavy egg producers,
rather than from any one particular
bird that has a high egg record indi-
vidually, but has no ancestors behind
1t with a similar record. In other
words, instead of breeding up for in
dividual records by means of trap
nests the most important thing Is to
increase the average production of the
entire flock.
II is better to breed from the hens
that have made good average records.
Eggs from the hen that has made the
highest record, do not usually hatch as
we'll or produce as strong and vigorous
chicks as those from hens whose pro-
duction is only slightly above the
average.
The most important thing in breed
Ing is never to use birds that have
been sick or stunted in growth. In
OrueT TO dNolu JnlS IL Is Well 20 Cuii
out constantly any slow growing
youngsters as we'll as any that are
sick, and put them in a pen by them
selves or market them, so they will
never be used later for breeding stock.
| Often a slow growing or slow feather
I ing bird will develop and look prac-
| tically as good as those that grow
and feather quickly. Yet such a bird
| is lacking in stamina, and will produce
! weakly chicks and females that will