Better Than Charcoal
Next, we sifted ashes and filled the hoppers in the Laying Houses with them. The layers ate them in the same way in which they consumed wheat. For an experiment we stopped feeding charcoal entirely, and found that the ashes supplied everything that the charcoal did, with none of the dangers, for there seems to be no doubt that where hens consume large quantities of charcoal they are very susceptible to colds.
Large heaps of Anthracite ashes are now kept within a short distance of every Colony House on the Range, and the use of these ashes has very materially reduced the quantity of Grit and Shell consumed, thus representing a considerable economy.
Until the use of Anthracite ashes came in on the Range we placed Grit in receptacles near each Colony House, and the amount consumed was really remarkable. As soon as the ashes were placed there the Grit was deserted, and there practically was no consumption of it at all, and after a few weeks we ceased to supply it and have not done so now for years.
Since the use of the sifted ashes in the Laying Houses a soft shelled egg is almost a curiosity on the Farm.
In the Brooder House runs, beside supplying the phosphorus to the youngsters for their digestion, and the making of their feathers, it does away with the fear of contamination of soil, of which so much is now written, and it presents a surface which dries almost before the rain storm is over, and there is no possibility of the youngsters being let out into a muddy run.
CHAPTER XII
Eggs for Breeding Should be Laid by a Real Yearling Hen
Having heard many stories told by Breeders who were sellers of eggs for hatching, and also the tales by purchasers, we were somewhat loath to embark in this branch of the Egg Trade. The Breeders told stories of letters which would “raise your hair” from people who had purchased from them and met with poor success, and of course, from their point of view, the only person at fault was the man who sold the eggs.
For the season of 1910 our breeding pen had reached a size which allowed us, for the first time, to offer eggs to the public, and we decided to try it out. To everyone we stated that we would not guarantee fertility, but, as they were getting eggs from exactly the same pens which were supplying our own incubators, we were able, at all times, to tell what the customer was receiving. But we went further, and agreed that anyone claiming a low fertility, if he would send us the eggs which he claimed to be clear, and prepay the expressage, we would, if his claim was substantiated, send him another lot of eggs and pay the expressage both ways.