THE EGG AND ITS GERM 



RESULTS FROM EGGS LAID BY HENS IN COLD HOUSES 



The above results, it will be borne in mind, are from eggs 

 laid by hens which had been kept in warm houses and given 

 rations calculated to gently stimulate egg production during 

 winter. It will be interesting, then, to compare these results 

 with those from hens which had not — nor had their parent 

 stock^ — ^known what warm winter quarters were, fowls which 

 were kept under such conditions as are to be met with in the 

 majority of farm yards throughout the coimtry. 



On the 11th of March 13 eggs laid by Buff Orpington pul- 

 lets from hardy stock — as described above — were set under a 

 B. P. Rock hen. On the 2d of April 10 chickens hatched. On 

 eggs being tested, one clear egg was found. Examination of 

 the two eggs which did not hatch showed two embryos, which 

 had probably died about the fourteenth day after the eggs were 

 put under the hen. 



On March 21 (ten days later), 13 eggs, also laid by Buff 

 Orpington pullets, were placed under another B. P. Rock hen. 



To farmers, particularly those living in America where the 

 winters are rigorous, these results are important, as they are 

 strikingly in favor of fresh air and plenty of it, even if it is cold. 



They are doubly important, as giving proof that with in- 

 telligent effort it is possible and profitable to build up strains of 

 fowls to suit winter conditions, rather than to attempt making 

 winter conditions suit the fowls. 



VALUABLE CONCLUSIONS DRAWN AS THE RESULTS 

 OF WINTER TESTS 



A summary of the experiences gained in connection with 

 the testing and hatching results of eggs laid during the cold 

 season under conditions described may be given as follows: 



1 . The generous and gently stimulating rations given to 

 the fowls kept in cold houses did not seem to affect the strength 

 of the germs of the eggs laid by them, as similar rations appar- 

 ently did in the case of the hens kept in artificially warmed 

 quarters. 



14— COLONY HOUSES ON GRASS RANGE 



On the 11th of April, 11 chickens hatched; one chick was crush- 

 ed in the nest by the hen. Examination of the remaining egg 

 showed a fully developed chick dead about "pipping" time. 



On March 21 (same day), 13 eggs of Buff Orpington pullets 

 were given to a Langshan hen. Result, 11 chicks. 



The most convincing results were obtained from 16 eggs 

 (half Buff Orpington and half B. P. Rock pullets), which on 

 March 9 were placed under a large hen, and in due course every 

 egg hatched. And what was further satisfactory, every one of 

 the 16 chickens lived and made rapid growth. 



The total of 48 chickens from 55 eggs laid by pullets, which 

 had been kept in cold winter quarters — as had their parent 

 stock — and which had been good winter layers, is in favorable 

 contrast with 17 chickens from 52 eggs laid by fowls which had 

 been kept in artificially warmed poultry houses. 



It is also an effectual answer to the statement, sometimes 

 made, that strong germs cannot he had i« early spring time 

 from hens which have laid steadily during the winter. 



2. Eggs laid in early December by the hens in artifici- 

 ally warmed houses showed a greater percentage of strong germs 

 than did eggs laid by them later in the season. 



3. Eggs laid by the same hens in early spring showed a 

 satisfactory percentage of fertility, but the weakest germs. 



4. The most striking and gratifying results were obtain- 

 ed from the fowls which, like their parent stock, had never 

 known warm quarters. From 55 eggs laid by these fowls in 

 early spring — after laying well during the winter — 48 strong 

 chickens were hatched. In contrast with this are 17 chickens 

 from 52 eggs laid by hens kept in warmed, but comparatively 

 limited quarters. 



5. Results were strongly in favor of the average farm 

 conditions. One successful farmer has an open shed attached 

 to his poultry house, and to this shed, which is protected by a 

 curtain in stormy weather, his fowls have access, so obtaining 

 fresh air and exercise. The latter is secured by throwing grain 

 in litter which is always on the floor of the shed. 



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