Breeding

Extract

The Seasonal Distribution of Egg-Production: The normal Egg-Production Curve. F. M. Fronda. The Philippine Agriculturist, Vol. XVII, No. 1. College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines.

Summary and Conclusions:

1. 1. The monthly percentages of egg production of Cantonese, Native, White, Leghorn, and Barred Plymouth Rock breeds of chickens for five years, 1922 to 1927, and of Rhode Island Red for four years, 1922 to 1926, are presented in this paper.

2. 2. A comparison of the egg production curve of the Cantonese breed is made with that of the Black Orpington in Australia and of the Barred Plymouth Rock in the United States.

3. 3. The data presented show conclusively that there is a definite type of egg production curve in this country.

4. 4. The egg production curve in this country is very similar to those of the United States and Australia, although they do not exactly coincide as to the time of the year.

5. 5. There is sufficient reason to believe that the egg production curve of chickens in this country is perhaps more nearly like the normal egg production curve of the primitive kinds of fowls than curves of egg production observed in the temperate countries.

6. 6. The laying year may be roughly divided into two periods, the reproductive period, January to June, and the rest period, July to December.

7. 7. The reproductive life of a chicken is a succession of the reproductive period and of the rest period, which correspond very closely to the two distinct dry and wet seasons of the year.

8. 8. The annual molt coincides in general with the gradual drop of egg production which begins about July and ends about December.

9. 9. If fowls start in their reproductive processes early in the season, a second or even a third clutch of eggs may be laid during the favorable period of the year.

10. 10. The number of eggs laid by the hens during each of these periods depends upon the age and individuality of the birds, the amount of care given them in feeding, housing, and management, and upon other conditions of the environment.