948 
THE RURAb NEW-YORKER 
July 24, 1915. 
j EGG-LAYING CONTEST 
Thirty-six weeks of the contest have 
now passed, and more eggs have been laid 
than, in any previous contest at Storrs. 
The efforts being made all over the coun¬ 
try to select and breed from the best lay¬ 
ers, and the knowledge of the supreme im¬ 
portance of using males from heavy laying 
hens, has undoubtedly resulted in an in¬ 
creased number of eggs being laid by 
American poultry. And the egg-laying 
contests are the cause. Prior to the hold¬ 
ing of these eojtests the “poultry show” 
was the only place where fowls competed, 
and the competition was only as to per¬ 
fection of feathers, shape and size. No 
consideration whatever was given to egg 
production; the poorest layer in the show 
might be the winner, if perfect in outward 
appearance. But the laying contest 
changes all this, to the great advantage of 
the average poultryman; because he 
learns thereby where and by whom the 
best layers are produced, and where to 
get birds that will increase the produc¬ 
tion of his flock. There were 3,903 eggs 
laid at the Storrs contest this week, 
which is over 50 per cent.; not bad laying 
for a flock of 1,000 birds in mid-summer. 
The White Leghorns take all the pre¬ 
miums again this week, Tom Barron’s 
pen leading the week’s score with 00 eggs, 
and the total score for the Leghorns with 
1,384. Windsweep Farm, from Connect¬ 
icut, and James II.. Lord, from Massa¬ 
chusetts, tie for second pace, with 57 eggs 
each: and I*. G. Platt, of Pennsylvania, is 
third, with 56 to his credit. The Leghorns 
from Dictograph Farm, New York, tie 
with A. S. Sondregger’s pen from Con¬ 
necticut. with 55 each. J. Collinson’s 
Black Leghorns from England laid 54, as 
did four pens of White Leghorns. Ed¬ 
ward Cam’s White W.vandottes still lead 
in the total egg production, with Tom 
Barron’s W.vandottes 20 eggs behind, and 
the wonderful It. I. Reds from Hill view 
Poultry Farm, Vermont, only 15 eggs be¬ 
hind. This pen has laid 174 eggs more 
than any other pen of the Reds, and bids 
fair at present to be the winning pen at 
this contest. 
At the second Storrs contest a 
Plymouth Rock hen laid 61 days in suc¬ 
cession. This record has not been beaten 
until now a Salmon Faverolle hen from 
Maryland has laid 64 days without a skip. 
In three months she laid 87 eggs out of a 
possible 91, or 95.5 per cent, for three 
months. She has laid 136 eggs in the last 
150 days. 
This laying would be impossible if the 
ration fed at Storrs was not a well-bal¬ 
anced ration, containing all the elements 
needed for egg production. 
The week’s record follows : 
Barred Rocks. Week Total 
Merritt M. Clark, Connecticut. 
Frank L. Tuttle, Massachusetts. 
Francis I,. Lincoln. Connecticut. 
.Talcs J. Francais, New York. 
Storrs Agr. Station, Exp. pen, Conn.. 
Storrs Apr. Station, Exp. pen, Conn.. 
O. A. Foster, California . 
White Rocks. 
Albert T. Lenzen, Massachusetts. 
Branford Farms, Connecticut. 
Branford Farms, Connecticut. 
Branford 1 Farms, Connecticut. 
Branford F'arms, Connecticut. 
Buff Rocks. 
A. A. Hall, Connecticut. 
White Wyandottes. 
Tom Barron, England . 
Ed. Cam, England . 
Merrythought Farm, Connecticut.... 
Neale Bros., Rhode Island. 
Mrs. J. D. Beck, Connecticut. 
Storrs Agr. Station, Exp. pen, Conn.. 
Storrs Agr. Station, Exp. pen, Conn.. 
Manledale Farm, Connecticut. 
J. F. Byron, Connecticut. 
Buff Wyandottes. 
Dr. N. W. Sanborn, Massachusetts... 
Silver Wyandottes. 
Silver Wyandotte Star, New York... 
Columbian Wyandottes. 
Merrythought Farm. Connecticut. 
Rhode Island Reds. 
I'-. .1. C. Dingtnan. New York. 
Ilillvlew Poultry Farm, Vermont.... 
Homer P. Demlng, Connecticut. 
Chas. O. Polhemus, New York. 
li. M. Bailey, Connecticut. 
John Backus, Vermont . 
W. H. Bumstead. Connecticut. 
Pineerest Orchards, Massachusetts... 
Harry B. Cook, Connecticut. 
Colonial Farm, New Hampshire. 
A. B. Brund'age. Connecticut. 
Storrs Agr. Station, Exp. pen, Conn.. 
Storrs Agr. Station, Exp. pen, Conn.. 
Rural New-Yorker, New York City.. 
S. G. McLean, Connecticut. 
Springdale Farm, Connecticut. 
I>. E. Warner, Rhode Island. 
II. W. Sanborn, Massachusetts. 
Albert R. Ford, Connecticut. 
Light Brahmas. 
Storrs Agr. Station, Exp. pen, Conn.. 
Storrs Agr. Station, Exp. pen. Conn.. 
American Dominiques. 
H. B. Hiller, Connecticut. 
White Leghorns. 
A. B. Hall, Connecticut. 
George Bowles, Connecticut. 
Ellis W. Bentley, New York. 
N. W. Ilendryx, Connecticut. 
Braeside Poultry Farm, Pennsylvania 
Francis F. Lincoln, Connecticut. 
Cecil Guernsey, New York. 
Merritt M. Clark, Connecticut. 
Chas. N. St. John, New York. 
Elm Poultry Yards, Connecticut. 
Jay H. Ernisse, New York. 
Storrs Agr. Station, Exp. pen. Conn.. 
Storrs Agr. Station, Exp. pen. Conn.. 
Mrs. Rolliti S. Woodruff, Connecticut. 
Windsweep Farm, Connecticut. 
James H. Lord, Massachusetts. 
1\ G. Platt, Pennsylvania. 
Dictograph Farm, New York. 
F. M. Peasley, Connecticut. 
Chas. Heigl, Ohio . 
Tom Barron, England . 
Edward Cam, England . 
24 
1.170 
30 
1.084 
43 
1,080 
20 
807 
30 
820 
42 
1.240 
49 
1,016 
85 
958 
30 
979 
51 
1,123 
30 
900 
44 
947 
27 
954 
29 
1,407 
27 
1 427 
35 
1,144 
53 
1,197 
40 
1,101 
38 
975 
45 
1.108 
38 
740 
27 
1,032 
23 
1,039 
38 
807 
30 
1,072 
39 
858 
30 
1,412 
49 
1,184 
52 
1,215 
23 
1,204 
35 
1,175 
40 
881 
37 
1,220 
29 
1,053 
33 
1,201 
24 
933 
37 
1,238 
29 
1,077 
48 
1,058 
32 
921 
51 
1.205 
38 
1,082 
41 
1,089 
10 
003 
19 
. 779 
25 
823 
20 
725 
34 
857 
53 
1,191) 
39 
998 
54 
1,232 
52 
1 222 
47 
960 
39 
707 
20 
937 
32 
1,057 
49 
888 
40 
1,119 
48 
1,193 
49 
1.327 
40 
909 
57 
1,351 
57 
1,070 
50 
1,228 
55 
1,124 
52 
1,373 
54 
949 
00 
1,384 
54 
1,074 
Geo. M. McMillan, Missouri. 54 1.203 
Wm. H. Lyon, New York. 41 1,057 
Ilappich & Banks, New York. 40 1,213 
A. I*. Robinson. New York. 40 1.370 
Manor Poultry Farm, New York. 40 1,211 
Branford Farms, Connecticut. 45 1.051 
Branford Farms, Connecticut. 50 1,159 
Branford Farms, Connecticut. 49 1,241 
Branford Farms, Connecticut. 53 1,257 
Anna Dean Farm, Ohio . 40 805 
Rural New-Yorker, New York City.. 37 930 
A. S. Sondregger, Connecticut. 55 1.195 
S. J. Rogers, New York. 35 1 12 > 
Stoneleigh Poultry Farm, Penn. 37 915 
Mrs. W. B. Whitlock, Connecticut... 38 853 
Toth Bros.. Connecticut . 32 897 
James N. Thomas, New York. 51 1.287 
Sunny Acres Farm, Connecticut. 42 1,005 
Rose Comb Brown Leghorns. 
The Gale Place, Connecticut. 32 713 
Buff Leghorns. 
Lakeside Poultry Farm, Michigan.... 33 870 
O. L. Magrey, Connecticut. 44 989 
Black Leghorns. 
J. Collinson, England . 54 1,255 
Silver Campines. 
Cncowa Poultry Yards, Connecticut.. 34 1,083 
Lewis E. Prickett, Connecticut. 40 931 
Light Sussex. 
Dr. E. K. Conrad. New Jersey. 38 830 
Salmon Faverolles. 
Doughoregan Farms, Maryland . 29 804 
White Orpingtons. 
Henry S. Pennoek, Florida. 11 470 
Obed S. Knight, Rhode Island . 23 800 
B. P. Na6e. Connecticut... 24 949 
Buttercups. 
Chanticleer Poultry Yards, Pa. 41 692 
Favorite Hens. 
Rural New-Yorker, New York City.. 40 939 
GEO. A. COSGROVE. 
Permitting Ducks to Swim. 
Why, in the production of a duck for 
market, is it not supposed to be good 
policy to allow the pens access to water 
to swim in? My ducks have access to 
the creek and trade is highly pleased 
with quality of my product. p. s. w. 
Pennsylvania. 
The more exercise a duckling gets 
the more slowly it takes on fat. There¬ 
fore the less exercise the less food re¬ 
paired to produce a marketable condi¬ 
tion and consequent greater profit. This 
might not make much difference in tin* 
case of a small flock, but when thou¬ 
sands of ducklings are sent to market 
the difference in cost is considerable. 
w. II. H. 
Rations for Laying Hens. 
The June report of the Missouri egg- 
laying contest contains some interesting 
statements. A number of experiments 
are being tried to determine the effects 
of certain rations. Each pen contains 
20 lions. 
The test with a “wide” ration contain¬ 
ing the elements which would produce 
three yolks for each white, laid 379 eggs 
in the first six months. The test with a 
“narrow” ration containing elements 
which would produce two whites to each 
yolk, produced 269 eggs in the same time. 
The test containing equal yolk and white 
material, but without material to pro¬ 
duce the shell, produced 161 eggs. But 
the ration which contained equally all the 
elements to produce each part of the egg, 
produced 1,603 eggs, in the same time. 
This is what is meant by a “balanced ra¬ 
tion.” for egg production. The yolk is 
principally carbohydrates, the white pro¬ 
tein, and the shell, minerals. Thus the 
three parts of the egg require three differ¬ 
ent kinds of food. 
The following ration is fairly well bal¬ 
anced for egg production. Instead of 
using the terms “carbohydrate” and “pro¬ 
tein,” the terms “yolks,” and “whites” are 
used. All fractions are omitted so this is 
only approximately correct: 
Grain. 
Pounds. 
Yolks. 
Whites. 
Cracked corn.. 
160 
882 
108 
Wheat . 
150 
365 
373 
Mash. 
Wheat bran .. 
20 
31 
41 
Middlings .... 
20 
41 
44 
Corn meal . . .. 
20 
52 
27 
Ground oats .. 
20 
30 
31 
Gluten meal .. 
20 
46 
86 
Beef scraps . . . 
80 
32 
332 
Alfalfa meal . . 
5 
7 
0 
O. P. oil meal. 
5 
8 
25 
440 
1,003 
1,066 
The hens had access to oyster shell and 
grit, and were given two pounds of fine 
salt, and four pounds of fine charcoal in 
the mash. 
The basis for computing the number of 
yolks and whites produced by each kind 
of food, was that one pound of carbo¬ 
hydrates would produce 31-3 yolks, and 
one pound of protein would produce 16 2-3 
whites, this being the rate of the average 
hen here at this station. It will be seen 
that from 350 pounds of corn, 382 yolks 
and 198 whites are produced. There¬ 
fore it is not a balanced ration. The 
extra yolks are made into fat, and we 
say ’'tiie ben is too fat to lay.” If the 
hen has the ability to produce 24 eggs a 
month on a balanced ration, but is fed 
corn alone, with carbohydrates enough for 
48 yolks, she cannot complete even the 24 
eggs, but can lay only the number that 
the “whites”—or protein—in the corn 
will produce. In other words, as a chain 
is only as strong as its weakest link, so a 
hen can lay no more eggs than the weak¬ 
est link of its feed will produce.” This is 
modified somewhat by the fact that the 
hen can draw on the tisssues of her own 
body for part of the constituents of the 
egg, and often does so, extracting about 
every particle of fat from her system, 
even to the yellow coloring matter in her 
legs, if the amount of corn in her ration 
is not sufficient, or the production of eggs 
is so rapid that she cannot digest and as¬ 
similate the carbohydrates fast enough. 
As a rule good layers will always be found 
thin in flesh at the close of the laying 
season, even if a balanced ration is kept 
where they can help themselves at any 
time. GEO. A. COSGROVE. 
Ailing Chicks. 
April-hatched chicks are mainly in 
two coops of a group of six, all of about 
same age. White Leghorns and Barred 
Rock. They show great leg weakness, 
inability to stay up on legs long, later 
not at all: then drowsiness, chicken 
when roused seen lapsing into stupor, 
with neck curved over forward, beak 
resting on ground. When they make 
progress at all, only with great difficulty, 
with fluttering of wings. Often stuck up 
about vent, but whether through any 
great change in bowel conditions, or only 
because of remaining in one position, is 
not clear. Does not appear to be exces¬ 
sive diarrhoea. Tail not usually held 
erect, but sloped down. Cockerels main¬ 
ly afflicted. Eyes closed but no typical 
inflammation or discharge; sleepy. Ap¬ 
parent increase of mucous in mouth, but 
may be on account of inability to get 
to water readily. For a while at least, 
some appetite. Owing to squatting po¬ 
sition, are soon abused and if permitted, 
killed, by other cockerels. Some at least 
that are removed in time, recover. One 
killed and examined internally failed to 
reveal anything abnormal. A very few 
scattering cases were noticed along back, 
but just recently trouble has assumed 
considerable proportions in two flocks 
mentioned (out of about 10,000 head). 
What is the trouble? E. w. b. 
New l’ork. 
Growing chicks, particularly cockerels, 
are sometimes affected with “leg weak¬ 
ness,” apparently due to the rapid 
growth from heavy feeding. The symp¬ 
toms are denoted by th^ name, a rapidly 
increasing weakness of the legs, leading 
finally to inability to stand. This trouble 
is more apt to occur among the heavy 
breeds blit is not confined to them. An¬ 
other cause of leg weakness in growing 
stock is rheumatism from exposure to 
the same conditions which induce it in 
humans. Some of the symptoms that 
you mention also suggest nervous trou¬ 
ble from poisoning, this latter being pos¬ 
sibly due to spoiled food of some kind 
or to the obtaining of poisonous mate¬ 
rial about the premises occupied by the 
chicks. I cannot make any positive 
diagnosis of the trouble that you describe 
but, with these suggestions in mind, you 
may be able to ascertain it for yourself. 
As treatment, I should remove all the af¬ 
fected birds from the flock and give each 
one some quickly acting physic, a tea¬ 
spoonful or more of castor oil adminis¬ 
tered through a flexible rubber tube, 
like a catheter, or a half teaspoonful of 
Epsom salts dissolved in water and 
poured down the throat, or mixed in soft 
food, if they will eat the latter. 
M. B. D. 
Ailing Turkeys. 
Can you tell me what ails my turkeys 
and what I can do for them? I had 67, 
but now only have 25. In the morning 
when I let them out they yll seem to be 
fresh and happy, hut at night it takes 
me forever to get them home. They are 
all sick, their wings drooping and eyes 
closed. The next morning, I find several 
dead. I make a mixture of bran, mid¬ 
dlings, bread, oatmeal, onions and dan¬ 
delions, chopped fine, of which I feed 
them a little each morning and night. 1 
keep copperass in their drinking water. 
A few of the turkeys have diarrhoea, but 
most of them have other ailments, what, 
I do not know. MRS. A. M. 
New York. 
l T our turkeys are probably overfed. If 
they are on range every day feed only 
a litlte in the morning and what they 
will pick up clean at night. I)o not be 
afraid they will go hungry. Nature in¬ 
tended they should search for their food, 
and the exercise is fine for them. Begin 
feeding whole or cracked grain at night, 
and be sure they have plenty of grit. 
Dust them frequently with louse powder. 
MRS. NILES GROVER. 
Improved Parcel Post Egg Boxes 
SEND 19 CENTS FOR SAMPLE 
New Flats and Fillers- New Egg Gases 
SEND FOR FREE CATALOGUE DESCRIBING OUR 
Modern Poultry Equipment 
H. K. BRUNNER , 45 Harrison Street, N.Y. 
—A limited numberof 3.HAN1) 
ITALIAN QUEENS. Queens 
are large, vigorous, and pro¬ 
lific, producing bees that are 
gontle, hardy and industrious. Untested, $1.00; 
tested after June 1, $1.50. Satisfaction guaranteed. 
W. K ROCKWELL, - Bloomfield, Conn. 
ZSrSnSR PARTRIDGES I PHEASANTS 
Capercailzies, Black Game, Wild Turkeys, Quails, 
Rabbits, Deer, etc., for stocking purposes. Fancy 
Pheasants, Peafowl, Cranes, Storks. Beautiful 
Swans, Ornamental Geese and Ducks, Foxes. 
Squirrels, Ferrets, and all kinds of birds and 
animals. WM. J. MACKKNSKN, Natural¬ 
ist. Department IO, Yardley, Pa 
AMERICAN DOMINIQUES 
best breeders and young stock cheap. 
HERBERT ROOKS, - Mills, l’a. 
nilPlf Q—Pekiu, Roueu and Indian 
Runner Ducks. $2 and $3 each. 
Aldham Poultry Earin,R. 34, PhoenixviUe, Pa. 
— 
You Want More Profit 
Mr. Poultrykeepcr, the most vital problem 
in the path to profit is the question of strain. 
Get Tom Barron's strain—the strain that 
has proved best by test at all the Great Lay¬ 
ing Competitions, including Missouri and the 
“Great American,” where his birds won bolh 
first prizes in two successive years. 
Note, that despite the war, the prices below 
include carriage and insurance paid, coop 
and food free to New York. White Leghorn 
or White Wyandotte Cockerel and 2 pullets 
or Hens, $30. Cockerel and 5 pullets or 
Hens, $55. Cockerel and 11 pullets or Hens, 
$90. Special prices for quantities. More 
than one cockerel can be sent in each lot in¬ 
stead of pullets or Hens if desired. 
Pay by draft or postal order on London, 
England. 
My catalogue is yours for the asking. 
Writen pedigree sent with each consign¬ 
ment. 
Tom Barron 
Catforth, Preston, England 
/ export anywhere 
TOM BARRON’S 
WINNERS 
HIGHEST BREEDERS IN AMERICA 
CONTEST WYANDOTTES—283, 282, 274, 266 
WORLD RECORD BIRD—a Leghorn—288 
BUFF ROCKS—280, 272, 265, 263 
S. C. REDS—243 
Catalog 
MORRIS FARM, R. 4, Bridgeport, Conn. 
All broedors tested ; free of white diarrhea 
BARRON COCKERELS 
We will have some very choice 8. C. White Leghorn 
Cockerels for sale, the result of a cross of Cockerels 
purchased direct from Thomas Barron, Catforth, 
England, with our two-year-old hens which have 
been bred for heavy laving and white eggs. 
These Cockerels are March and April batch. The 
price for selected birds will be $1.00 each, ten to 
twelve weeks old. We will also have 600 yearling 
hens and 1000 2-year-old heavy-laying S. C. White 
Leghorn liens for sale. 
Yearling Hem at . . 91.00 each 
Two-year-old Hena at . .76 oach 
THE HAVEN LAKE EGG FARM, Milford, Delaware 
Barron’s Leghorns 248-260-egg. Imported direct 2k months 
old. $1 each30 for $26. 0 yearling hens and a cock for 110. 
E. CLAUDE JONES, - Hillsdale, N, Y. 
PULLETS 
FOR SALE-S. C. W. LEGHORN 
Kaised on unlimited range in 
orchard affording ample shade. 
Recommended for winter egg production— ROOK 
YOIJR ORDER NOW. For further particulars 
apply to, GILEAD EGG FARM, Carmel, New York 
WHITE LEGHORN PULLETS 
3 months old. Also cockerels, including Barron 
strain. Booking orders now. Write your wants. 
HAMILTON FARM, . Huntington, N. Y. 
SHIPMENTS ON APPROVAL"^^ 
Chix, 10 cents each; 500 or more 9 cents each. 6- 
weeks Pullets 50 cents each; 1‘2-weeks, $1. JUST A 
POULTRY FARM, Southampton, New York 
200 S. C. White Leghorn Breeding Hens 
75 cents. $1 Each. Also Kead.v-to-I.ay Barred Bock 
Pullets. - ,J. L. LEE, Carmel, N. Y. 
S. C. Barron White Leghorn Cockerels ^ 111 | 1 n e *‘‘ Vl s 
J. C. COGGESHALL, Little Hocking, Ohio 
Tom Barron 
White Wyandottes 
chicks, 5 days old, 12c. each. Eggs, $1 per 15. 
Cockerels for sale, from the stock I 
bought direct from Tom Barron, England. 
E. E. LEWIS, - Apalacliin, N. Y. 
Barron Leghorn and WyandotteCockerels 
early hatched high-pedigreed stock, $2 up. Trap, 
nested breeders Barron Farm, Connellsville, Pa 
6 and 8c So&Ato'&y 
hack for dead ones. Pam¬ 
phlet free. C. M. I.AUVEU 
Box 78, Richfield, JPa. 
EFFICIENCY HENS 
Snow-white S. C. Leghorns, heavy layers, only 90c. 
each. Immediate delivery. 
Columbia Poultry Farm, Toms River, N. J. 
ACME QUALITY PULLETS & YEARLINGS 
8. C. W. Leghorns. Heavy-laying strain. 
WY-HAR FARM, - Denton, Md. 
—6 and 7c. Leghorns. Money back 
for dead ones. Circular free. 
W. A. LAUVER. Box 1, McAlisterville, Pa. 
AUSTIN’S 200-EGG STRAIN S.C.R.I.REDS 
Standard bred, high-record stock. Red to the skin. 
OLD AND YOUNG STOCK FOR SALE. Book¬ 
let. AUSTIN’S POULTRY FARM. Box 17, Centre Harbor. N. H. 
Colonial Reds 
A real bred-to-lay strain of national reputation. 
We offer bargains in yearling hens and cockerels. 
A fine lot of young stock coming on. Correspond¬ 
ence solicited. Honorable treatment guaranteed. 
COLONIAL FARM, Bex 0, Temple, New Hampshire 
Land and Water Fowls 
Maple Cove Poultry Yards, R. 8, Athens, Pa. 
IMPROVED SILVER CAMPINES gSffiBfc 
Eggs $1 per 15 or $5 per 100. SHORT A TRIPP, Cortland, N Y. 
