PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



The Minorca lays a white egg, and so large that a dozen 

 will weigh 30 ounces. The Rhode Island Red and Plymouth 

 Rock egg is large and heavy, the average for these breeds 

 being about 26 ounces. , In the Vineland, New Jersey, egg- 

 laying contests it was found that the Rhode Island Red eggs 

 were heavier than those of any other dual purpose breed. 

 Leghorns and other Mediterranean breeds lay smaller eggs 

 than do the American breeds, though the White Leghorn may 

 be counted an exception to the rule. This breed has been 

 cultivated for large eggs, so that they compare favorably in 

 size with larger breeds. 



The specific gravity of an egg can be tested by placing it 

 in a vessel of water. If the air space is small, the egg contents 

 filling the shell, the egg will lie on its side on the bottom of 

 the vessel. If the contents are well evaporated, leaving a 

 large air cell, the egg may float on the surface of the water. 

 Between these two extremes there are gradations in specific 

 gravity, the determining factor being the size of the air cell. 

 Egg testers are on the market for determining specific gravity. 

 The higher the specific gravity the greater the food value of 

 the egg contents. Only eggs of high specific gravity should be 

 placed in storage. 



Color of Eggs 



The color of eggs is due to pigments derived from the 

 blood. The pigment is deposited with the carbonate of lime at 

 the time that the shell is formed. The color gradually fades 

 as the hen approaches the end of her laying period. Undoubt- 

 edly egg-production has some connection with the fading of 

 the feathers during the laying period. Mottled and variegated 

 eggs occur and arise from the peculiarities of individual hens. 



Whether the contents of a white-shelled egg have less 

 nutritive value than the contents of a brown-shelled egg is a 

 subject worthy of investigation. White eggs receive prefer- 

 ence in New York city, but in Boston brown eggs are pre- 

 ferred. In the western states an egg is an egg, whatever the 

 color. In marketing, if eggs are graded according to color it 

 adds to the appearance and undoubtedly appeals to critical 

 buyers. 



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