Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-26

The egg-laying contests are to the
breeder of utility stock what the poul-
try shows are to the fancier. 1t gives
him an opportunity to study the re-
suits of his labors when his fowls are
placed under uniform conditions and
in competition with those of other
breeders
The methods of the various contests
vary slightly in different states. but
they are mostly uniform in general
management. A house large enough to
accommodate ten birds is arranged for
each pen, and it is fitted with a run in
which the birds may exercise and have
access to growing green food. In some
contests there are only Ave or six birds
to pen, and these are conducted along
the same lines as where ten birds are
used:
The contests usually open on the LIST
of November and continue for twelve
months. The pullets intended to COM
pete I'm the contest are shipped so as to
arrive at the contest grounds on the
evening before, or on the LIST day of
November. An extra pullet is sent
along to be held in reserve in case Of
accident to any Of the regular contest
ants. when she may he used as a sub
stitute in order to keep the number of
the pen intact: No male birds are
used in the pens and it has been found
that their absence does not affect the
production of eggs On the arrival of
the birds at the contest grounds each
bird is banded with an official leg
band and the birds are then placed in
their respective permanent quarters
All of the houses are. fitted alike. each
contains trap nests and the same kind
OF. feeding equipment. 1'''.o,
All competing pens are fed alike Ike III
every respect with rations that have
r6d md
regular formulas. The birds are not
disturbed by any one except the regu-
lar attendant who feeds and waters
them and gathers the eggs 1t often
or outside of the trap nest, in which
case the egg is credited to the pen but
to no particular bird.
Since the establishment of egg-Iaying
contests in this country many valua BILE
lessons have been learned which have
been of inestimable value to breeders
and those interested in the poultry in
dustry Feeding problems have been
satisfa ctorily solved and methods of
greatest production of eggs.
Il. Isss been demonstrated conclusively
that there is no one best breed or vari-
erty of fowls. II has also been proven
that American breeds varieties and
strains can lead the world II forever
removes the doub, that general pur-
pose fowls fso-calledJ, such as Plymouth
Rocks, Wyandottes and Rhode Island
Reds, do not lay as many eggs in a
year as the lighter or fso-called) egg
producing breeds. such as Leghorns.
Minorcas. Hamburgs and AnconaS
From the records il has been shown
that pen Of Rhode Island Reds had
an average of 2es eggs. a pen ofBar-
red Rocks an average of 210 eggs, a
pen of White Rocks POS eggs and pen
OF White Wyandottes an average of 210
eggs These records are indisputahle
evidence that there are great possibili-
ties with the heavier breeds as egg pro-
ducers.
Perhaps the most important feature
brought out by the egg-laying contests
is the indisputable fact that it is pos
sible to maintain flock of hens and
make a reasonable profit.
II has been shown that hens will lay
an average of twelve dozen eggs
each during the year, which. il sold at
IS cents per dozen, equals So The
hens ate food which cost approximate
ly S1.i2, thus leaving balance of Sl.5s
per hen TO pay for labor and expenses.
Early Layers Are Best.
Another practical lesson learned is