REQUISITES IN EGG PRODUCTION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2243, 6 May 1881, Page 3

REQUISITES IN EGG PRODUCTION.

The size and quantity of egga depend largely on the keeping of the fowls. Eggs can be hod of the siza and quantity desired, but the fowls must be bred for it. For large eggs, and many of them, employ either the Spanish or Houdan breeds. An effort should be made to establish uniformity. The Houdan egg is much similar to the Spanish—large, long, white, of fine flavor and excellence. In order to have a flock of fowls valuable as egg producers they mußt be reared on the premises, and be thoroughly accustomed to everything about the place. Fowls are impatient of removal and of strange places. Fowls which lay the largest number of eggs of the largest size should be seleoted for breeders, and be well kept while laying the eggs. This is an important item. From the time the chioks are old enough to manifest a desire to eat they should be plied with the very best quality of food, and plenty of it. It never pays to starve or neglect fowls, for in a poor, low condition, roaming here and there, and annoying neighbors, they often beoome a nuisance, and the small amount of feed thrown to them during winter is only a | waste.

There is a vast difference in the quality of eggs. Poorly kept fowls never produce- fine eggs, let the breed be what it may. Another thing is, some breeds require more food than others to produce the same profit. Where there is a continuous laying there must be food. The Spanish fowls are fond of corn, and will consume a great quantity of it in the kernel, but no more than the Brahma; but the Spanish will lay large, fine eggs on it, and the Brahmas will not. These two breeds, perhaps, will endure corn better than most others. The Leghorns should be fed with whole corn sparingly. The different grains should be alternated. Although corn may be the staple, yet it should be mixed with oats, barley, or buekwheat, and fed ground, moistered with milk or water. Wheat bran may answer for some breeds, but it is not hearty encugh for the continuous layers. Eggs, not chickens, bring the greater profit, but wo must have chickens before we can have eggs, and the stock must be kept good, consequently chickens must bo raised. If crossbred fowls are kept the oock should be seoured from the rapid and continuous layers, either Leghorn or Spanish, for the Brahma hens, and a Houdan for the Dominique and Dorking. The Houdans are first-olass fowls, both for eggs and the table, being large, fine, with good bodies and fine limbs. The ohicks make rapid growths. The eggs are rather short and round, of good size and quality, with strong, hard shells. Where eggs are kept any length of time, this is of importance.