THE FARM FLOCK (POULTRY) 



629 



by their size, shape, appearance and freshness or interior quality. All of 

 these factors may be controlled by the poultryman to a considerable 

 degree through breeding and the care with which the eggs are handled. 

 Improvement of the quality of the eggs produced is fully as important 

 from a financial point of view as increased production. If the following 

 suggestions are observed, there should be no difficulty in producing eggs of a 

 quality that will meet the requirements of the best grades in any market. 



Breed only from hens which lay eggs of the desired size, shape and 

 color. 



Provide for at least one clean, convenient, well-ventilated nest for 

 every four or five hens in the flock. 



Renew the nesting material whenever it becomes damp, dusty or 

 soiled. Planer shav- 

 ings make excellent 

 material for nests, but 

 soft hay and clean 

 straw may be used. 



Gather eggs at 

 least twice daily and 

 more often if conve- 

 nient. This is par- 

 ticularly important 

 during cold weather 

 to avoid freezing, and 

 during warm weather 

 to avoid the develop- 

 ment of the embryo 

 and to retard evap- 

 oration. 



From the* time 

 eggs are gathered until marketed, keep them in a clean, cool, dry place. 

 Fertile eggs will begin to develop at any temperature over 68° F. 



Do not put eggs into a box, basket, carton or case until all the animal 

 heat has escaped. When gathered, place them on a wire tray similar 

 to an incubator tray for ten to twelve hours and then grade and pack 

 them in standard cartons or cases. 



Market eggs at least once weekly and more often if possible. Nothing 

 is ever gained by holding eggs for a rise in price. The egg is a perishable 

 food product and should be marketed as soon as possible in order to avoid 

 deterioration and loss. 



Market eggs in standard egg packages. The standard thirty-dozen 

 egg case is preferred. If production is not great enough to enable a case 

 or two of graded eggs to be shipped weekly, use the smaller, returnable 

 cases which may be secured from any dealer in poultry supplies. 



1 Courtesy of Missouri State Poultry Experiment Station, Mt. Grove, Mo. 



Shipping Cases for Eggs. 1 



