The Time Factor in Egg Formation

Abstract

THERE has been no recent comprehensive work on the problem of the time element in egg formation in the domestic hen. A series of papers by Pearl and Curtis (1909–12) form a basis for most of our textbook material on the subject. Patterson (1910) also made some investigations in this field. Riddle (1923) studied the phenomenon in the pigeon, but the laying habits of the pigeon and the hen differ so widely that his results are only partially applicable to the hen. Since the early work on the hen, considerable new information has been secured which makes possible a much more critical study of the problem. MATERIAL AND METHODS White Leghorn females in their first or second year of production were used in this study. In practically all cases the intercepted egg was the second egg of the clutch. The female was killed or anesthetized at varying intervals following . . .