Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-11-18

II fortified nj all Thus II hca's cgSa
can become fertile within a couple OF
DAYS after they are mated Moreover.
one fertilization Is sufficient for quite
4 number OF eggs: sometimes ona irat-
ing leaves its effect for several weeks
The life germ. which Is contained in
All eggs whether fertile or not. il 1T :
tachcd TO the thin. invisible membrane
covering and embracing the yo,k
This covering Is called the vitcilinc
membrane. The contents OF the yo!h
the yellow mass-is called the vitcl-
lus. II tx the most vital part OF the
es ia hence the name.
1hc ritell!nc membrane is quit
strong IN the fresh egi. and CORE
spondinSly weak In the 50 e egg. Wit
ness how easily the yo.< OF cold
storage egg is punctured because OF
tins failing in strength we are eau.
toned To hatch none but fresh eggs.
the frcshcr the better II seldom pays
weeks old
The oviduct. into which the ripcned
yoik is expelled. is Il much coiled tube
about about twenty inches long. filing "a
abdomen. 1t starts just below tho
oyary and extends to the vent or
Sloaca There Is no direct connection
The interior end of the latter is shaped
like Il funnel TO facilitate entrance OF
the yoiks as they are dropped from
In the immature pullct and in the
hen passing through the mol, or other
wise out or condition. the oviduct is
laying period it is greatly enlarged.
II is this enlargement which displaces
the intestinal tract and digestive or
gahs. mus giving to the layer her full
dlstended look In the keel or under
body. \ layer can always be told by
inns fuiiness. although fullness should
not be mistaken for an excessivo ac-
emulation OF fat
During passage of tho yolk through
the oviduct it is pushed downward by
ne muscles o. this tube. at the same
Time receiving deposit of albumen.
The oviduct being twisted and con
tractcd imnarts a turning motion to
,nc yo!k as IT advances. which rotary
action causes the albumcn to he formed
In layers
The contours IN the oviduct in
which the egg is cast. so TO speak. give
the egg It's shape, which remains more
or Tess constant with individuals Thus
II viii be seen that the shape of an
egg mas nothing TO do with its sex.
lief in this respect.
BY the time the egg reaches the
lover part Of the oviduct, sufficient
ner Shell membrane is formed Fol
lowing this process certain glands
which secrete carbonate Of lime and
pigment, deposit their liquids. which
quickly harden the outer membrane
and form the shell. This hardening
process is very rapid. Sometimes il
takes place while the hen is on the
nest.
Time Required for Egg.
Ihe SOFT -shellcd egg is one that has
tal!ed 10 harden the outer membrane.
either because OF an insufficient sun
ply OF shell material. or due TO the
exclusion OF the egg before il had time
10 harden. Usually il is because the
hens diet is deficient in mineral mat
ter. If the flock has plenty of oyster
shells. soft-shelled eggs seldom re-
suit.
The length OF time required to de-
reiop the egg varies. The formation
OF The yolk is tho longest period and
requires about three weeks after the
ovary has been stimulated to the point
where production commences The
fact that series OF ova are ripenirg
at the same time, however. creates n
short interval between the finished
eggs.
The second place Of production. that
OF FORMING the albumen and shell, is
very brief-about eighteen hours.
when hens arc in full laying turning
out an egg day, it frequently hap
pens that two eggs are under compile
tion in the oriduct at the same time.
On rare occasions a hen lays two eggs
on the same day. although this is due
TO some delay In cXpelling the first
egg: caused by fright or an egg bound
condition.
II is not known whether n hon c,p