Laying Properties of Hens.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, 3 December 1887, Page 4

Laying Properties of Hens.

A coiiiti si'ondln r of the A<ji ten' 'red (Ui:tUe wiites as follows upon thi- subject/: — It is generall}* a very dhftculfc matter toaniveat a wti-faaoiy solution of the question as to the aveiage number of eggs laid by hens, bccau&e in the fiist place, so few people keep the exact number of lion?, and the same hens only, from the Ist January to the 31st December. I know that ifc would be a very difficult matter for me to do so with respect to my Cochins, although I 'have had the number of eggs collected and booked up daily for the last thirty years. J can, how. ever, give the exact number of eggs laid by threecTO^sbredpulletslrearedsomefiveyears ago. A s most of the eggs laid by my Cochins early in the spring of the year were required for sitting purposes, I determined to keep a few cross-bred hens to supply my household with eggs, and I find the above-mentioned three pullets laid 390 (moderate -sized) eggs in the course of the following year. Now, as to their breed. Amongst the advertisements in the poultry paper I found one from a clergyman of MinorcaHondan eggs, and I thought such a cross should produce some prolific lasers, and I therefore bought a sitting, and certain iy was rather amused at the result of my venture. From half a dozen chickens hatched, I reared three pullets, one of which showed undoubtedly the MinorcaHoudan cross, another the silver-spangled Hamburgh - Houdan crosc, with a rosecomb, and topknot and beard ; and the third one, apparently a Game-Minorca cross, a black pullet v ith a single comb, and no sign of either topknot or beard, Now as to their respsctive laying piopeities ; although I cannot give the exact number of eggs laid by each hen, I know that the lastnamed one was the last to commence laying in the spring, and the first to stop in the autumn ; and that the Hamburgh-Houdan was the first to commence laying and the last one to stop, and thai the probable laying properties of each would be about 110 eggs for the Game-Minorca, 130 eggs for the Houdan-JMinorca, and 150 eggs for the Hambuvgh-Houdan. I have no doubt but that, those who have time and patience to devote to the subject might strike out some very valuable crosses for laying purpose?, but it would be necessary to start with ceitain definite breed?, as it would scarcely be safe to depend upon advertised eggs from cross-bred hens for such a puipofce.

A Tuakau corre^po ident writes :—": — " The erection of our local ' creamery,' notwithstanding inclement weather, is sroinfC up with a run. Log us hope it will prove a success, and that anticipation will nor be disappointed."'