REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Table X.- — Gluten Meal and Clover Meal. 



229 



Though ration No. 2 (clover) co.st considerably less than ration No. 1 (gluten), the 

 increase in live weight by its use cost 2 cents per pound more than that by No. 1. All 

 the results tend to show that clover meal, at all events in the proportion here used, 

 cannot be economically employed in the fattening ration. 



Our work has shown that the age at which the chicken is fattened essentially 

 afiects the price per lb. of increase. After a certain age and size have been reached, 

 probably varying somewhat with the breed, this cost increases. To make a strict com- 

 parison between rations, therefore, chickens of a like age must be used. We cannot 

 consequently strictly compare the results of this experiment with those of the breed test 

 as to economy in fattening, since the birds in that series (in which Plymouth Rocks 

 made an increase at 3-8 cents and 4 cents per lb.) were one month younger. But the 

 chickens of the ' Whole versus Finely ground Grain ' were of the same age and breed, 

 and the test simultaneously made with the one under discussion and therefore we can 

 fairly compare them. We find in the ' Finely ground Grain ' lot the increase cost 5 ■ G 

 cents per lb. 1 cent per lb. more than with the ration containing gluten meal. 



The birds from both tests were killed and di'essed, giving data as follows : — 



Proportion of Edible and Non-edible parts, calculated on weight of chickens as killed.. 



These results are distinctly in favour of Ration No. 1. (gluten) there being almost 

 3 per cent more dressed carcase than with Ration No. 2. (clover). Further, the gluten 

 meal birds were better filled out, of better colour, and altogether of finer appearance 

 than those on the ration containing clover meal, their meat was considered juicier and 

 more delicate eating. 



