EGG-LAYING TESTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7444, 19 May 1911, Page 2

EGG-LAYING TESTS

The present system of awarding the honours in egg-laying competitions in this country is wrong. The birds that lay the largest number of eggs in a season are not necessarily tho most valuable birds. It is not the fowl which will lay the largest number of eggs in, tho cheap season, but tho bird laying most of its eggs in the dear season which is most to be desired. There-' fore the most valuable pen. in a competition is the ono which will give the largest return, based on tho cash secured for its eggs. I noticed the other day that in a South African laying competition tile position of the pens is determined by the weight of eggs laid. This is a better idea than calculating merit merely according to numbers, but it is not to be compared with determining tho winners according to the cash value of the eggs produced. If the Now Zealand Utility Poultry Club is anxious to provide New Zealand poultry men with a proper comparison as to tho respective pens and the respective breeds which took part in its last competition it can easily do it. All that is required is to calculate tho value of the eggs laid by the several pons according to tho. ruling market rates from week to week. Thou and only then would tho most valuable birds iu the competition be disclosed. The whole object of utility poultry-keepers at the present time is to breed hens to lay when eggs are dear, and tho hens tha, .will do this! given tho correct hatching period and the proper management, an, of the type “most to bo desired. The egg-laying competition should provide this all-important information.