274 POULTRY PRODUCTS 



eggs, the price is high. In summer and even more so in the 

 early spring when hens are producing heavily, eggs are 

 cheap. Prices vary continually during the year, ranging 

 from twenty-three to sixty cents. In wholesale markets, an 

 average price of from thirty to thirty-five cents per dozen 

 should be realized. 



Eggs are divided into three classes, fresh, held, and storage. 

 Fresh eggs are those which have been carefully handled, 

 and are shipped immediately after laying to the point of 

 distribution. Held eggs are those which have been held by 

 the farmer or poultryman for some time after being laid. 

 The incentive for holding them is the belief that prices will 

 go up, and that more money can be gotten for them. Held 

 eggs are usually of inferior quality, and the air cell is apt to 

 be large, due to evaporation. They do not bring as high a 

 market price as fresh eggs. Storage eggs are those which 

 have been in cold storage, the temperature being kept at a 

 low point by artificial refrigeration. Such eggs, if properly 

 packed, and not kept longer than six to eight months, are 

 good when taken out. It costs on an average from six to 

 sixteen cents to produce one dozen eggs. This varies, of 

 course, considerably, with seasons, being high in winter, and 

 low in summer. It also varies with the breed kept, and the 

 age of the layers. Pullets produce eggs more cheaply than 

 hens. Leghorns produce more cheaply than heavier breeds. 

 The amount of production will vary with season and breed. 

 Different flocks of hens may average from 120 to 150 eggs, 

 but in order to attain this average hens must be good layers 

 in cold, winter weather. The profit to be realized from com- 

 mercial egg production varies somewhat with the breed and 

 size of the flock kept. Birds in good health, producing the 

 amount specified, should yield a profit of from $1.00 to $2.50 

 per year. Commercial egg production is a profitable branch 

 of poultry keeping, but more attention might be paid to 

 this source of income with the average flock. 



