120 Kepokt of the Department of Animal IlusnANDiiY of tiiE 



food ration supplied on the average a little more protein and a 

 little less of ash and fats than the contrasted ration. 



During nearly six months there was very little difference in 

 egg production, the difference being less than three per ct. in favor 

 of Lot XXI. After this the falling off was more rapid for Lot 

 XXII so that the egg yield for the whole time was about six 

 per ct. greater for Lot XXI. The average number of eggs laid 

 per hen during the thirty weeks was 119.4 for Lot XX I and 

 112.7 for Lot XXII. For every pound of eggs produced there 

 were 3 pounds of dry matter in the food for Lot XXI and 3.2 

 poimds for Lot XXII. For nearly six months the proportion 

 of dry matter in the food for each pound of eggs produced was 

 2.8 pounds for Lot XXI and 2.9 pounds for Lot XXII. Al- 

 though the cost of food was somewhat more under the animal 

 food ration, the egg yield was enough larger to make the food 

 cost of eggs about alike for both lots. For the whole time the 

 average cost for each pound of eggs was 3.2 cents for each lot. 

 For all but the last period the average was 3.1 cents for Lot 

 XXI and 3.0 cents for Lot XXII, The average food cost per 

 dozen eggs was, for the thirty weeks, 4.7 cents for Lot XXI and 

 4.6 cents for Lot XXII. 



'No general difference was noticed in regard to molting. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE EGGS. 



Two cockerels were kept, one with each lot, during the first 

 three and one-half months. The birds were alternated between 

 the two lots so that average and general differences in the eggs 

 would appear justly credited to the hens. The eggs from Lot 

 XXI proved better from the breeders' standpoint than those from 

 Lot XXII. Eggs from both lots were sometimes kept several 

 weeks. Five hundred eggs from each lot were examined and in- 

 cubated. Eighty-six per ct. of those from Lot XXI were fertile, 

 19 per ct. of the fertile eggs had very weak germs and 77 per 

 ct. of the tested eggs hatched strong chicks. Of those from Lot 

 XXn, 78 per ct. were fertUe, 34 per ct. of the fertile eggs had 



