What is it???

[joebwe25]

No briand55, I really don't think it could hold Champagne. The holes are pretty close together.
The apx. measurements are - 16'' x 5''. And the holes are approximately 1'' apart.
ANYONE ELSE???
And speaking of holes, the holes are hand chiseled. Someone really must have put a lot of work into it!

 

[HobbyChickener]

Probably the only was to have made the holes was chiseling. Does an average egg fit through it? My guess is something to do with the bator as someone said before. Would make a good picture frame though.

 

[patandchickens]

Is the hook really old and either handmade or recycled-looking? If not, I would guess it was a later addition, probably for someone to hang the whatsit on their wall as an artsy thing. It could have originally been, as someone suggested, a homemade egg rack (for storage not incubating) or I suppose anything else, but I am suspicious of that hook so I bet it was originally meant to lay flat.


Pat

 

[joebwe25]

Yes, the hook is old... but then again someone could have screwed an old hook in.

But it IS old

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I would guess an early egg storage system.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I could see a person using that to size a dozen eggs, for sale. Now, we weigh eggs, but in the old days, that would be a cheap way to sort out the smaller pullet eggs or the jumbo eggs. It would size and count a dozen eggs at the same time, then they could be put into a small basket, for sale. Eggs haven't always come in cartons, with perfect little dividers and scales weren't always so cheap and easy to get.

 

[chickbea]

I think it is for eggs. It could easily also be used in an old-style incubator; I've been to farm museums where I have seen wooden 'bators and racks. One I saw was like a drum and the racks rotated around inside. The racks actually looked a bit like yours. Do you have a farm museum near you? I'd take it there or send a pic to the curator.

The hook is probably just to hang it on the wall to get it out of the way when it isn't in use.

I'm jealous - I love to collect old chicken things. I scour the corners of every barn sale! My favorite find is a big wooden crate with several layers of very old egg dividers (patent date 1899!). Scrawled across the outside in pencil is a bunch of notes from the farmer (ie: Mrs. Johnson - 2 dozen, etc.). I love it!

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

You guys are way off base.

In the old days, families had TONS of kids. That was a super fast way to put on socks.

See, just fill each hole with a sock, stick 6 kids in a line into the holes and VOILA! 12 little feet kept warm.

Now, should you question that, my second guess is an old time egg turner for an incubator.

Meghan

 

[joebwe25]

Ha Ha! I hope you're joking!

They have more kids, and there legs are extra skinny.
nowadays, less kids, chubbier legs.
The holes are 1 1/2'' in diameter! It's probably for eggs.
'nother question... Are the eggs, if it's a 'bator thingy, supposed to sit in the holes, or ON the holes??

 

[GrayRoo]

Looks like a spice rack to me.