SELECTING EGGS FOR HATCHING 287 
increases fertility, and the birds relish it in large quantities. Where 
“it has been given to, or withheld from, breeding flocks for alter- 
nate periods, the effect upon fertility has been shown absolutely. 
This advantage is approximately from eight to twelve per cent. 
The feed should contain only a limited amount of carbohydrates 
or fat-forming elements, especially for the heavier breeds, since, 
under normal conditions, they have a tendency to take on flesh 
rapidly, and this results in an excess of fat, a decreased production, 
and accompanying infertility. Plenty of feed and care in the 
method of giving it are most essential. 
Collecting Eggs for Hatching.—Eggs laid during the breeding 
season are to be used for hatching; hence much care should be 
exercised in their collection 
and handling (Fig. 139). After 
mating, it is well to wait from 
two to four weeks before sav- 
ing eggs for breeding purposes, 
two weeks being the usual 
time, but in the case of heavy 
breeds four are necessary and 
safer at any season. (See page 
281.) It is well to collect the 
eggs two or three times a day, 
thus averting the dangers of 
their being broken, or becom- 
ing extremely dirty by a num- 
A Fig. 139.--The egg-collecting pail should 
ber of hens treading on them. be of heavy construction to avoid breakage. 
It also lessens the danger of A nest of soft material may be placed in the 
bottom. 
incubation being started by 
broody hens, and in cold weather of the eggs being chilled. Any 
violent motion of the egg, such as shaking or jarring, should be 
avoided, as this is apt to rupture the internal membranes and make 
the egg useless for incubation. 
Selecting Eggs for Hatching.—On collecting the eggs they 
should immediately be sorted, and any egg unfit for hatching 
should be disposed of for the table. Select eggs uniform in type, 
shape, size, and color, discarding all that are cracked, extremely 
dirty, badly shaped, or which have a rough, thin, or irregular shell. 
Extremely small or exceptionally large eggs should not be used 
(Fig. 140). This careful selection of eggs for hatching means the 
saving of money in the course of a season, since all eggs of unsurt- 
