Egg Production.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 April 1913, Page 4

Egg Production.

Egg production is influenced by several faotors, among which may be mentioned the hen, the methods of j housing, the toed and the general I care., All are related in 6ome way to each oilier, but the relationship between the lien and the feed is the most important. Therefore, it is advisable, at the outset, to study the lien and to note what constitutes a good egg-producer. A laying lien should be healthy. Activity in scratching and foraging is an indication of health"; the weak fowl is rarely active and does not forage far from the poultry house. She remains on the perch after the others have gone in search of food, and returns to roost early in the afternoon. The fowl that forages far out in the fields is usually the one that is in search of food to makeeggs. The head and its appendages, also show indications of health and vitality. The strong fowl has a broad head with a short well-curved beak. The eye is briglit and full; the wattles and combs, briglit red and of medium size. A vory large comb does not necessarily indicate the best health, but the best laying breeds havo the largest combs. However, a hen with a shrunken comb, a long, flat head, and a- correspondingly long 'beak should never be used for breeding purposes; she is rarely a profitable layer. Beautiful phunago indicates health; it should be smooth, fully developed, glossy and brilliantly coloured. Dull plumage indicates weakness. The shape of the body is an important characteristic. A laying hen has Ji deep, braid body, indenting abundant .spiaco for a large digestive and reproductive system. DTielss a hen can consume and digest a large quantity of food, she cannot produce a steady yield of eggs. The legs should 'be of medium length, strong, and well placed apart. The neck should bo short and thick; the breast full and round; and the keel well covered with meat. The tail should he carried erect. This characteristic is more noticeable among male birds than among pullete or lions. A lien must have a keen appetite and must consume large quantities of food if she is to produce eggs economically and maintain a health v body. Unless she is able to digest and assimilate food, thus keeping her body strong ..and healthy, it is useless to expect a profit in the production of eggs. Loss of appetite is regarded .as a symptom of many common diseases. The big fowl looks well and is better for tho table, all other things even. The big fowl is also lees troublesome to keep in bounds. Hut it is now cononded that the small bird of any breed is usually the best layer of its breed.