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.
90,000 Orders for 40,000 Eggs
During the season of 1910 we sold something over 40,000 eggs and returned money for about 50,000 beyond our ability to supply. The result was that many people who were disappointed booked orders at very early dates in 1910 for hatching eggs for the season of 1911.
Our experience was quite the reverse from the stories we had been told. Of course, in doing a large business, it is not possible to satisfy everyone, and then, unfortunately, there are some people who are extremely fond of attempting to get something for nothing, and you receive statements regarding orders which have been filled, which when investigated, prove to be somewhat different from what you were at first led to believe.
The fertility of our eggs was such that it was almost impossible for anyone to make a complaint, and the hatching season of 1910, both at the Farm and for our customers, was a most successful one.
For the season of 1911 we were able to increase our breeding facilities considerably over 1910, but we were even more unable to meet the demands upon us for hatching eggs, than in the previous season. The results of this year were quite as satisfactory as for the previous, and for the season of 1912 the Farm will be in a position to fill more orders than ever before, as we have been able to make a still greater increase on the breeding side.
YEARLING HENS IN BREEDER HOUSE BEFORE MATING READY FOR 1912