Key Contributor -OldAuntBea
What did the Successful Farmer May 1934 issue have to say about poultry farming practices of the day?
Plenty. Here are some of the key points from the era of the early 20th century.
For starters good market eggs should be infertile.
Secondly, the laying hens, in addition to roaming the range for feed should also be kept on a high quality laying mash, limestone or crushed oyster shells, and hard grit handy for their convenience .
Water is top of the importance list since eggs are more than 50% water. Plenty of fresh clean drinking water should be always available.
Most eggs are laid before noon so keeping the hens in the laying house and also close to food and water until late morning has several advantages. The hens may eat the high quality feed, will lay eggs in nests instead of around the yard, and therefore cleaner eggs are produced and washing is less necessary.
Washed eggs become more susceptible to germs of decomposition.
The Missouri State College of Agriculture devised an outdoor cellar for the purpose of storing eggs that is very satisfactory. A picture of it is shown here. -1934 May Issue Successful Framing
Collect eggs two or three times a day
Hold eggs in proper storage, away from sun and unpleasant odors, and at temperatures of 32 to 60 degrees.
Eggs need to cool after collecting because the animal heat contained within the egg will cause deterioration if eggs are kept in outside in the warm air or placed immediately in warm packaging. Best to let eggs cool in the gathering basket or a wire tray where air can circulate .
Keep strong smells like onions or garlic away from eggs to avoid issues that could taint the eggs.
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