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70
NuMBER or FowLs AND EstivaTED PrODUCTION or Eggs
i ———————
COAT.
Hatehed
before year
of return.
Hatehed
in year of
return.
Total
Number of
Fowls.
Production
of egos.
Thousands.
1908 15,014
1913 13,735
1924 | 15,123
1925% 15.904
Thousands,
13,235
15,201
15,632
17,766
Thousands, Millions,
28,249 | 960
29,026 941
| 30,755 1,386
33,670 1.458
|
* The number of fowls in 1925 has been estimated on the basis of the
changes in numbers as shown by the returns of 1924 and 1926. The
average number of eggs produced per hen as obtained from the special
returns in 1925 has been used to estimate the total production of egos in
1924.
The figures show very clearly the great increase, amounting
to over 50 per cent., in egg production on agricultural holdings in
England and Wales as compared with before the war.
In order to estimate the total home production of eggs it is
necessary to make an addition in respect of fowls kept on holdings,
allotments, gardens, &c., which are not included above. As
already explained there is no definite basis on which such an
estimate can be made, but it, is thought that an addition of one-
third would be sufficient to indicate approximately the total
home production in England and Wales, which on this basis
would amount to between 1,900 and 2,000 millions,
Not only has the production of hen eggs been increased, but
a large increase has taken place in the production of duck eggs.
Many more ducks of laying. strains are now being kept and the
average number of eggs produced per duck has increased
considerably.
The returns collected in 1908 showed the average number of
eggs laid per adult duck (male and female) in Great Britain as 26,
in 1913 the average for England and Wales wag 33, and the average
as shown by the latest returns, after allowing as in the case of
fowls for the returns being from occupiers who give most attention
to egg production, is 40. No estimate has been made of the
relative proportions of mae and female birds, but it is understood
that where heavy breeds are kept there is usually a very large
proportion of drakes, Consequently the number of eggs per
duck would be appreciably greater than the figure of 40 given
above.
