114 Repokt of the Department of Animal Husbandry of the 



weeks the growth was much slower although made at a profitable 

 rate for a fortnight or more. 



RELATIVE EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY OF THE RATIONS FOR DUCK- 

 LINGS. 



There seemed to be no difference in the palatability of the ra- 

 tions. The birds appeared in equally good health under both, 

 and there was no loss in either lot. The ducklings in Lot C 

 grew much faster and ate much more food during all periods of 

 the experiment. As much or more food was eaten at all times 

 by the birds in Lot D in proportion to their size. The consump- 

 tion of food was 26 per ct. greater for Lot C and the gain in 

 weight 65 per ct. greater. 



The dry matter in the food for each pound gain in weight was 

 3.3 pounds for Lot C and 4.3 pounds for Lot D. The cost of 

 food per pound gain in weight up to ten weeks of age was 8.5 

 cents for Lot C and 4.1 cents for Lot D. At five weeks of age 

 the average weight of the ducklings in Lot C was 2.5 pounds 

 and in Lot D 1.4 pounds. At eight weeks of age the average 

 weights were 4.5 pounds for Lot O and 2.9 pounds for Lot D. 

 At ten weeks of age the weights were 5.Y5 pounds for Lot and 

 3.7 pounds for Lot D, and at twelve weeks the average weights 

 were 6.4 pounds and 4.Y pounds respectively. The average 

 weight of two pounds was attained by Lot C 1.8 weeks sooner 

 than by Lot D, the average weight of three pounds 2.3 weeks 

 sooner, the average weight of four pounds 3.3 weeks sooner and 

 the average weight of five pounds about a month sooner. The 

 birds in Lot C reached the average weight of six pounds at 10.4 

 weeks of age. Those in Lot D did not reach this weight while 

 feeding records were kept, but birds from this lot attained later 

 in the season practically the same size as those more quickly grown. 

 Under the vegetable food ration with bone ash the ducklings 

 were able to make a moderate and regidar growth and remain 

 in continual good health. This, other lots of duckling's had be- 



