Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-11-18
ECG DEVELOPMENT AND
ALL ABOUT ENTOMOLOGY
The Time Required for Fertilization,
for Life Germ and for Shell
formation.
CHAPTER FOR poULTKYMEN
Productive Power of Hens-I}ody
Heated Eggs, Blood Spots and
Other Abnormalitics-Tlc Riper-
ing OF the Iolk-Making of White.

The chief female organs of repro
duction are the ovary and oviduct
These organs represent two distinct
stages IN the formation OF the egg.
( The first step Is the creation az the
yolk; the second process is the forma-
ton Of the albuncn. or white. and the
shell anu shell membrane. The first
step takes place in the ovary; the sec
ond step in the oviduct.
Strictly speaking. there are two sets
though only one set--,he left SOFT
functions. The right set OF organs de-
generates early ia life and practically
The ovary lies on the left side OF the
body close TO the back bone. II Is
baon OF The lungs and resembles a
miniature bunch OF. grapes. These
tuily- developed yolk down TO the point
where they are scarcely visible 10 the
ture yolk; collectively, they are termed
ova. The rapidity with which the"
develop into fun size yolks depends
hen. frosted and stimulated by proper
management and good feeding.
Productive s'o,yer of hens.
There are hundreds of tiny yolks IN
the normal hen; some authorities es-
innate them in the thousands APP
parenily the number is not liked
quantity. Those which develop into
eggs are less certain.
Some hens are absolutely sterile.
They have no power to develop their
egg cells. They. never lay. Such speci-
mems are rare. fortunately, and are to
be compared to fowls born with some
malformation. Other hens have but a
limited power to- produce their egg
or three dozen eggs each year, in the
spring, when conditions are particular
~ favorable. AZ other, times they put
They should be cullcd from the flock
and used as meat. They will never
earn their keep as layers.
Then there are hens whose reproduce
tive orsnns are SO vigorous and easily
stimulated that they lay almost with
out cessation. and continue so TO do
class Of layers that we get records of
200 and 300 eggs year.
Remember, however, that the 300
cgS hen is about as rare as the sterile
year after year. should satisfy the
fondcst dreams of any poultry keeper.
This rate OF production insures a good
profit. But, don't tolerate the hock
that falls below 100 eggs per year.
Under present conditions OF high
How the YoIk Hipens.
IS s'artins as TINY sphere in the oyary
a thin membrane, joined TO the main
stalk OF the ovary BY stalk of its
own. which membrane and stalk is
consists OF networks OF hlood-vcsse,s
completely surrounding the yolk. save
for future line, called the stigma
When the yo!k attains full size the
follicle ruptures along the line to tAis
suture. whcreupon the yolk escapes
into the oriduct. where il is ready to
receive the alhumcn-thc white.
Should a blood vessel become broken.
however slightly, during this process.
and lose drop Of blood. the drop ia
expelled along With the completed
yolk later this blood is found In the
completed egg. Puilets laying their
first eggs. or hens which are forced
for egg production are most likely to
yield eggs with blood spots Gambling
tho GEES is the only safeguard against
this defect.
The escape OF the yolk from the
ovnry Is known as the process of owl
lation. AT this stage OF the eggs de-
velopment the life germ is fortified.