CHAPTER XIV 

 CANDLING AND GRADING MARKET EGGS 



Note to Teacher : Have student candle and grade eggs. 



173. Losses From Careless Handling of Eggs. It has been 

 estimated that the annual loss from the careless handling- of 

 eggs amounts, in the United States alone, to $90,000,000. It is 

 estimated that about 70 per cent of this loss occurs before the 

 eggs arrive in town. 



174. How to Prevent Losses on the Farm. Remove the male 

 birds from the flock immediately after the breeding season and 

 market no fertile eggs. Provide roomy nests and plenty of 

 clean nesting material, preferably dry shavings or straw. Do 

 not allow broody hens on the nests. Keep the nests clean and 

 sanitary. Collect the eggs regularly, at least once a day in mod- 

 erate weather and more frequently in very warm weather. Carry 

 them at once in a clean basket to a cool, dry cellar and cover 

 them with a clean cloth to prevent dust from settling on them 

 and also to prevent evaporation and fading. Do not pack eggs 

 loose in a box when taking them to market, but rather secure 

 a suitable egg case and thus avoid breakage. Market as fre- 

 quently and as directly as possible. 



175. Males Not Necessary for Egg Production. The male 

 birds are not essential for egg production. They have to do 

 with the fertilization of the egg but not with its formation. 

 Hens should not be mated except when eggs are desired for 

 hatching. 



176. Blood Rings. When the germ in the egg begins to 

 develop and then dies, after three to five days, there will be 

 noted a red ring in the center of the egg. This is the blood 

 ring. 



