Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-08-21
Size of Eggs

orono, August 20.-"Egg size is
comfortable to a large extent" says
.. NJ. Wilbur, Extension Poultry
Specialist of the College of Agri-
culture. The production of small
| eggs has long been a problem of the
poultrymen of Maine as we'll as of
other states and has made serious in
roads on the income from this
branch of farming. Maine poultry
men are now making an effort to
produce eggs of standard size and
therefore of better quality.
Both the breeding and the man
agement have effect upon the size of
eggs" continues Mr.. Wilbur. In
heritance is the most important
factor. Egg size is inherited from
both parents, therefore attention
should be given to selecting good
breeding stock and Matching eggs.
Each egg must weigh two ounces to
/ be considered standard size. Many
of the markets will allow from two
to three dozen eggs per case under
standard size, but it is not infre-
quent that more than half the eggs
in a case will weigh less than two
ounces each.
when considering egg size the
breed must be given its share Of
considerations OF the commercial
breeds the Rhode Island Reds have
the distinction of producing the larg-
est eggs. This has been consistently
shown from the results at the egg
laying contests. The plymouth
Rocks and Leghorns come next
While the Wyandottes consistently
lay eggs smaller in size. Egg size is
not dependent upon the body size OF
the bird. White Leghorns and Bar
red Plymouth Rocks each lay eggs
of approximately the same size while
the body size of the respective
breeds is considerably different.
"Pullets which have been forced to
maturity so that they come into
production at young age lay very
small eggs and never attain the BODY
development which they should have.
Consequently small eggs over long
period is the result. To produce
larger eggs the pullets should first be
allowed to attain a good BODY de-
velopment. before egg production
starts Some are of the opinion That
pulIets Matched from pullet eggs Will
lay smaller eggs than pullets hatch
ed from old hens eggs. There IS
considerable evidence, however, to
snow IndI IH6IS Is IlO uiiLSiSAA -
the size of the eggs of hens which
hatch from pullet eggs or from ola
hens eggs providing other conditions
were equal
Breeding is another factor which
has a bearing upon egg size. Hens
fed a ration which contains milk ana
plenty of green food seems to lay
eggs of larger size than those fed
more restricted ration. The health
of the birds have an important ef-
feet upon the functioning of the egg,
secreting glands. Intestinal worm
infection and digestive troubles have
a. marked effect upon egg size as
well as the number of eggs produc-
ed.
ITO reduce the proportion Of small
eggs Il erefore poultry keepers are
paving more attention to the selec-
ton Of the breeding stock and the
eggs used for Matching. They are
allowing the growing pullets SUI
ficient range so that abundant green
feed will be available and so feed
them that they will develop into
large husky pullets.
More milk and green feed is be-
ing fed to the laying stock and clean
houses and new yards each year Tor
the chicks help in providing the nee
essary sanitation which Will contfol
intestinal worms and some OF the
other troubles which must be class
ed as serious. Maine poultrymen
are out to improve the reputation OF
their hens for laying large eggs
Egg size is only one of the factors
rela five to the production of market
inc of quality eggs which the EN-
tension Service is taking up with the
poultrymen of, the state through egg
quality demonstrations.