Show fia E A TIN G caused by absence of some element from fowls feed IN SPRING OR FALL not necessary to kill hen or feed her gentian mustard or other disagreeable gree gre able cable substances provide roomy neste nesip by 11 E B THOMPSON new me mexico aco agricultural college it Is common b billet that the egg eating liable among liens hens is caused by tho the absence of some element from the food ordinarily lime or animal food this Is however not the cornmon common cause although it may be a cause the habit usually starts in the spring during the heavy laying season or in the fall when the pullets are beginning to lay during these two seasons seasons there Is a greater number of soft shelled eggs caused by the shell secreting portions of the oviduct failing to function in correlation with the other reproducing organs therefore from either cause the egg eating jabat is developed by bad management aa br accident remove the cause to correct this habit it Is not necessary to L kni 1111 the lien hen or to feed her eggs filled with gentian or mustard or ammonia or other disagreeable substances remove the cause and the habit will soon be forgotten if yolk ot of egg Ss Is noticed on the beak or breast fen feathers of the lien hen or it if there is a noticeable drop in egg production or if there are signs of broken eggs in the nests and on the dropping board it is time to be looking after the egg eating habit nothing should be left undone to break the liens hens of this habit immediately upon discovery if the hans are being fed the egg shells from the house make sure that the shells are arc crushed so that their identity Is destroyed st do not discontinue feeding them as they are an excellent source of mineral feed clean the nests and see that there is a sufficient lelent quantity of cut straw or chaff in them for nesting darken the nests by hanging burlap curtains in front of them or face them so that the entrance is from the side next to the wall make an inspection of the droppings board at sunrise and remove any eggs that may have dropped during the night |