1-48 AN EGG FARM. 



does not need that the breeding stock should be actually 

 sick, in order to impress a feeble and degenerate condi- 

 tion on the eggs. The fowls may be in apparently per- 

 fect health, yet their eggs may have become impaired. 



The following, from a late issue of The California 

 Poultry Tribune, would have been appropriate any and 

 every season since the advent of pure bred fowls in the 



, 





ifeii^ " f- S"^^^^%^5I 



FIG. 52. THE HARVEST. 



United States caused the enclosed poultry yards to super- 

 sede the open range enjoyed by the birds of the former 

 generations of poultry keepers : 



" Eggs, as a rule, hatched but poorly this last season, and I think it 

 a genenvl complaint throughout the country. There seemed to be lack 

 of fertility of eggs, and chicks that managed to get out of the shell 

 appeared weak, lacked vitality ; in consequence, early show specimens 

 are scarce and will bring good prices for the lucky owners." 



The non-hatching has been hastily attributed to the 

 weather, but the weather never hinders the hen which 

 runs at large and steals her nest and is actively engaged 

 the greater part of the day in foraging for a living, from 

 hatching twelve or thirteen chicks out of a nestful of 

 thirteen eggs. The feed has been another scapegoat. Every 

 combination of animal food, green stuff and cereals has 



