Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-03-17
Large, Small, Misshapen and
Rough Shell Eggs Seldom
Produce Good Hatches
Eggs Intended For Shipment
Should Be Safeguarded
Against Heat, Cold and
Rough Handling
BY NJ. L. CHAPMAN,
Judge, Breeder and Writer.

Strong healthy chicks can only be
produced from the right sort of eggs,
and since eggs vary not only in size,
color and shape, so do they vary III
other more deep-Seated and funda-
mental characteristics, which may In
fiuencc the vigOr and other attributes
of the offspring.
As a rule q hen lays eggs of about
the same shape, size and color con-
tinually, and in general these char
acteristics are in most part transmit
ted to it's offspring. 1t is therefore of
greatest Importance that selection of
eggs for Matching be made along the
lines of the desired product Good
market eggs vary in regard to price
they bring in different localities, and
this factor must also be considered
when making the selection.
In some markets a chalk-white egg
will bring a premium of several cents
per dozen over the ordinary standard
size white egg, and q few cents addi-
tional for those which are above
standard weight and of perfect shape.
There are other markets which VIII
pay a premium on mch brown eggs OF
even size and shape and all markets
pay better prices for eggs which are
graded for uniformity of size and col
or. Because an egg is white or brown
does not necessarily class it among
those which bring top prices. A slight
tint or creamy white will often cut
the price below the average market
price. Eggs which are misshapen, mot
tied in shell, or have ridges, usually
bring the lowest price even IL they are
UP to standard in freshness and clean
liness.
Heavy Eggs Produce Strong Chicks
limo the heavier the
eggs, the heavier and more vigorous
are the chicks hatched from them.
Eggs in carly spring or the first clutch
of eggs laid after O protracted rest,
average heavier than at any other
time in the year, and this extra size
and weight is probably one of the
principal reasons why early Matched
chicks are stronger and more easily
raised than those which are Matched
later. Strong, vigorous yearling hens
are considered the best for breeding
purposes, as pullets are very apt to
lay small eggs light in weight.
A pullet that has been laying heavily
during her first year is reduced in
vigor Reproduction is one of the most
exhaustive processes OF nature. Egg
production is essentially q reproduce
tive process and it is evident that a
puIlet which has finished a protracted
laying period is not as vigorous as at
the beginning of that period. Anything
which reduces the vigor of the parent
also reduces the vitality of the Off
spring. Eggs should be selected from
parents which have had a period OF
rest and are not forced for egg pro-
duction.
Misshapen eggs are mostly due to
accident or a malformation of the owl
duct. The malformation of the owl
duct is very often brought about by
excessive fat.
Mottled eggs are those in which the
shell substance is deposited uneVenly
and, in consequence, there are numer-
Gus transparent spots visible, especial
ly detected by Gambling. Mottled eggs
are seldom fertile and are usually un-
fit for Matching.
Eggs Must BE Carefully Selected
A mixture of large, small, rough
shell, thin shell, round, long and lop-
sided eggs is a sure guarantee of indif-
ferent results. Some of them may
reared to maturity, but in the major
ity of instances the results will be a
Unevenness in size and shape of
eggs, in one setting, very often results
in poor matches due to the variance
in temperature.
Eggs intended for Matching should
be gathered at frequent intervals to
prevent them from becoming chilled
in the nests. 1t must be remembered
that the egg contains a living germ of
most delicate structure and. IL best re-
suits are to be expected, 1t must be
protected from injury until incubated.
1t is surprising the amount of abuse
the living germ in an egg can with
stand and hatch into a healthy chick,
but this is no reason why proper pre-
cautions should not be taken for its
protection.
Fresh eggs that have not been cool
ed to a temperature below so degrees
hatch best. Eggs intended for hatch
ing purposes should not be held over