EGG PRODUCTION 



293 



Conditions of egg production. Factors in laying may be classed 

 as primary (or essential) and secondary (or accidental). 



The prime factor in egg production is activity of the repro- 

 ductive organs. 



Secondary factors are (i) nourishment, (2) regularity, (3) com- 

 fort, (4) constitution, (5) exercise, (6) cleanliness, (7) broodiness, 

 these varying greatly in value, and ranking (as the subsequent 

 discussion of factors will show) about in the order named. 



Activity of the reproductive organs may be considered the 

 direct cause of egg production. Without it not an egg is produced, 

 though every other factor is sufficient ; when it is present, eggs 

 may be produced though every other factor is inadequate. It may 

 be checked by failure of secondary factors, but as long as it con- 

 tinues, eggs are produced even to exhaustion of the body and of 

 vitality. If the condition of the reproductive organs of the bird 

 could be determined by observation, the poultry keeper might judge, 

 with some approach to accuracy, of the time that must elapse before 

 a nonlaying bird would begin to lay ; but these organs are con- 

 cealed within the body, and the only outward indications of their 

 condition are the development and color of the comb, and some- 

 times the increased activity of the hen and a " singing " as she 

 bustles about. None of these signs, however, are infallible. The 

 proof of activity of the reproductive organs is given only in eggs. 

 This will appear more clearly as the influences of other factors 

 are discussed. 



Nourishment. An ill-nourished bird may produce some eggs, 

 but cannot continue producing regularly for long periods. To lay 

 well the bird must be mature, well-nourished at the outset, physi- 

 cally sound, able to digest much more food than required for its 

 own maintenance, and must be fully supplied with food. With 

 activity of the reproductive organs and these conditions of nourish- 

 ment a bird may continue to lay, though other conditions are faulty ; 

 but no advantage in other conditions can long compensate for 

 deficiency in the more essential. A common fallacy, now generally 

 discarded by students of the subject, makes activity of the repro- 

 ductive organs dependent for its beginning as well as for contin- 

 uance upon a surplus of food of proper composition. That this 

 view is erroneous is evident when, with opportunity to eat all that 



