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.