A. H. BARBER CREAMERY SUPPLY CO. ? CHICAGO, ILL. 



COLD STORAGE TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY: 



Temperature, 29-30 F. Humidity, 82-80%. 



TO KEEP EGGS FROM SWEATING: 



Before taking the eggs into a warm temperature, spread them out on clean, 

 slat-shelved poultry racks; or transfer them from the cases to cages made of 

 wire mesh; and have 1-inch cleats on the bottom, to allow the circulation of air 

 underneath if several cages are to be dried at the same time. Eemove fillers, but 

 leave flats between layers. 



Whether using the racks or #ages, after the eggs are taken to the higher 

 temperature, turn the electric fan on them until they are thoroughly dry. Candle 

 carefully after drying. 



TO DISTINGUISH STORAGE EGGS FROM FRESH: 



It seems to be easily done by any one not actively engaged in the egg busi- 

 ness; but storage egg dealers, or veteran egg-candlers do not seem to be able to 

 pick them out. The veterans can tell a Held egg, but they cannot say if the 

 egg has been held in or out of storage. 



SHRINKAGE: 



This refers to the air-space. The area of the air-space shows the extent 

 of the shrinkage. 



TOP AND BOTTOM: 



In this book, when mention is made of the "top" of an egg, the large or 

 butt end is meant; the small or pointed end is the "bottom 77 of an egg. 



TO DETECT AGE IN EGGS: 



Eggs begin to evaporate soon after they are laid, causing a shrinkage of 

 the contents; the vacuum created on account of this shrinkage fills with air, 

 and is termed the "air-space." 



No air-space denotes a Strictly Fresh egg. As the age of the egg increases 

 the space grows larger. 



Some persons claim that an egg is about a month old if the circumference 

 of the air-space at its widest part is of the circumference of a ten-cent piece; 

 when it gets around to the circumference of a twenty-five cent piece, it is 

 between six and nine months old. If held outside of cold storage, this last 

 condition would stamp the egg as Stale. Eggs evaporate more rapidly outside 

 of cold storage. 



FERTILITY OF EGGS AFTER SEPARATION: 



Eggs are sometimes Fertile after the male bird has been removed for as 

 long as 21 days, but as a rule the fertility is practically gone the tenth day, 

 and often earlier than this. This depends considerably on the individual and 

 perhaps the vitality of the bird. 



AGE TO BEGIN HATCHING: 



HENS 1 year old; incubation 21 days; useful 5-10 years. 



TURKEYS 1 " " " 28 " " 10 " 



DUCKS 1 " " " 28-35 " " 10 " 



GEESE 1 " " " 30-35 " " 10 " 



GUINEAS 1 " " " 25 " " 10 " 



PIGEONS 1 " " " 18 " " 10 " 



Pigeons hatch 5 pairs a year, feathered fully in 4 weeks. 



SUMMARY. 



It will be noticed that the specifications for No. 1, Spring storage stock, 

 March, April, and May, call for "Fresh Gathered stock, from clean, regular 

 nests." Eggs gathered in these months are the soundest and best flavored eggs 

 of the year. Further, by keeping them in cold storage they are better preserved 

 than if kept outside of cold storage; because the cold temperature of the rooms 

 disposes of the heat problem, the worst enemy of the egg, and a certain humidity 

 in the egg-rooms prevents dry, atmospheric conditions from absorbing moisture 

 from the egg and lessens evaporation shrinkage. The equalization of the two 

 in proportion brings the eggs out of cold storage in good condition after nine 

 or twelve months' holding. 



