Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1917 — EARLY HATCHING BRINGS WINTER EGGS [ARTICLE]

EARLY HATCHING BRINGS WINTER EGGS

A Simple WavforJ&MiJtry Owners to Profit frbm High Prices in Failibid Winter Washington, D. G., Feb. 12.—Early ■matching is the secret of winter egy production, say specialists in the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The pullet that is hatched early matures early and is ready to lay eggs in the fall when the supply is scarcest and prices highest. Chickens that are expected to be revenue producers for their owners later in the pear should be out of their shells by April 30 at the latest. If they are properly cared for thereafter they will begin to lay eggs at the very time that eggs are most wanted. To a great extent the poultrymen of the country have overlooked this simple fact. For one thing, birds hatched later in the spring or summer are not inclined to become broody until late the following season and thus an unprofitable circle is formed. Each year pullet s mature too late to produce in the fall and winter, and they sit too late for their offspring to do any better. The poultryman who wishes to get really good returns from his flock must break this circle. ’_. ‘ . ■ The growing use of incubators has made this comparatively easier. There is no reason why incubators should not be filled in March and April and the hatching over beforp May 1. If no incubator is available it may be possible to secure broody hens in the neighborhood. That they will repay the trouble and expense necessary to obtain them, is indicated by results at the government poultry farm tin Maryland. There it is not unusual to get a daily average of one egg for every five hens throughout the fall and winter, and in some pens the average has been as high as one egg for three birds. If anything like this percentage could be obtained on farms, the ordinary poultry farmer would derive real benefit from the high prices which eggs invariably bring for a period of several months.