Evening star., 1917-03-11
POULTRY YARD NOTES

AS rule a hen lays eggs Of about
the same shape, size and. color con-
tinually. and in general these char
acteristics are in most part transmitted
| to its offspring. It Is therefore of
greatest Importance that q selection OF
eggs for Matching be made along the
lines of the desired product. Good mar
ket 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 cfalk-white egg
| will bring a premium of several cents
| per dozen over the ordinary standard
\ size white egg, and few cents addi-
| tional for those which are above stand
ard weight and Of perfect shape. There
are other markets which will pay
premium on rich brown eggs OF even
| size and shape, and all markets pay
better prices for eggs which are graded
cause an egg is white or brown does
not necessarily class lit 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. mottled in
shell or have ridges usually bring the
lowest price even If they are up TO
standard in freshness and cleanliness.
HeneFaly speaking, Ine HedFIeI lHe
eggs the heavier and more vigorous are
the chicks Matched from them. Eggs
in early spring or the first clutch of
eggs laid after protracted rest aver
age heavier than at any other time IN
the year. and this extra size and weight
Is probably one of the principal rea
sons why early hatched chicks are
stronger and more easily raised than
those which are Matched later. Strong.
vigorous yearling hens are considered
hos for limo YlIll-
let's 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 eX-
haustive processes of nature. Egg pro-
duction is essentially a reproductive
process and it is evident that a pullet
which has finished a protracted' laying
period is not as vigorous as at the be-
ginning 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
Notified eggs are those in which the
shell substance is deposited unevenly
and, in consequence, there are numerous
transparent spots visible, especially de-
tected by Gambling. Notified eggs are
seldom fertile and are usually unfit for
Matching.
A mixture of large, small. rough
shell. thin she'll, round, long and lop-
sided eggs is a sure guarantee of indif
ferent results. Some of them may hatch
and produce chicks that may be reared
to maturity, but in the majority of in
stances the results will be a disappoint-
ment.
Unevenness in size and shape of eggs,
in one setting, very often results in
poor matches due to the variance in
tempera ture.
Eggs intended for Matching should be
gathered at frequent intervals to pre-
vent them from becoming chilled in the
nests. 1t must be remembered that the
egg contains a living germ of most
delicate structure and. if best results
are to be expected, it must be protect
ed from injury until incubated. 1t is
surprising the amount of abuse the
living germ in an egg can withstand
and hatch into healthy chick. but this
| is no reason why proper precautions
should not be taken for it's protection