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Chapter VIII. 
SELECTION FOR EGG PRODUCTION. 
Where the Poultry Farmer aims at the object of producing eggs alone for market, and is content to sell off 
surplus or worn-out hens and young cockerels at any price, the field is clear and open, and the method to he 
followed will be narrowed down to the selection of the best laying breeds. Some markets require eggs 
which have a brown tint, and, as there are but few varieties which lay eggs of this colour, that is, pure bred 
birds, and which cannot be classed as good or high-class layers, crossing will be necessary if quantity is 
desired. Breeds such as the Wyandotte, Orpington, Plymouth Rock, and Langshan, lay brown coloured 
eggs, which, as a general rule, are rather small, but, to compensate for the latter failing, redeem their 
characters by laying excellently during the winter months when eggs are scarce. Where the colour of the 
egg is not so much a consideration as size, it will be found that the Minorca, Leghorn, or Andalusian is 
far and away the best for the purpose ; and it is possible, by due selection and preference in only choosing 
eggs for hatching that are laid by hens who are good layers or large-sized eggs, a strain can be 
established which will be continually improving in this qualification the longer it is kept and studied. 
Another vital question frequently overlooked by many who seek to make a living out of their poultry, is the 
fact that they value a hen or hens for the sole reason that they may produce i8o, or even more, eggs per 
annum, overlooking the fact that those birds may not, after all, be as profitable as other hens that do not lay 
more than an average of 120 to 150 eggs per year. The latter hens often lay some portion of the batch at a 
time when high and remunerative prices can be obtained, while the more prolific hen in actual number of 
eggs laid, will mostly lay some portion when the market is at a low ebb. The pure-bred Minorca hen, for 
instance, is one of the best, if not the very best, layers, under favourable circumstances and surroundings, 
but, under exposed conditions and during the winter months, will be found inferior to moderate laying 
breeds, such as the Langshan, Orpington, Wyandotte, or Plymouth Rock. This is the important point 
that the practical Poultry Farmer turns to such good account by crossing the different varieties, so as to 
embody the different virtues possessed by the various breeds. As a recognised fact, the Minorca, Leghorn, 
and Andalusian, are quite in the front rank as layers, in point of quantity and size of eggs, but as table 
fowls they are very inferior. This necessitates these varieties being crossed with some other breed, if a 
reasonable return is to be expected from the surplus stock and cockerels which are certain to be produced, 
no matter how carefully bred. Thus we find that the Minorca, crossed with the Langshan or Orpington, 
will produce an excellent layer of large and well-flavoured eggs, or the Minorca, crossed with the Light 
Brahma, will give almost similar returns, and the surplus stock from either cross will realise a fair price for 
home consumjnion. The Leghorn, though recognised as the queen of layers under any ciixiimstanccs^ is 
one of the worst table birds ; and the Andalusian and Minorca, though running the Leghorn closely for egg 
producing qualities, are generally very little superior for edible purposes. Therefore, the Minorca, Leghorn, 
or Andalusian, if crossed with any of the other varieties, will indisputably augment egg production 
considerably, but will in few instances provide a bird suitable for export, though useful for local 
consumption. 
Again, taking the Indian Game, which can safely be classed as an inferior layer, and crossing with 
the Leghorn, Spanish, Andalusian, or Minorca, the progeny will be found fair layers and fair table birds, 
but, as there are many other crosses combining the two cjualities in a much greater degree, they are not 
worth considering, and are only quoted as examples. 
