586 



Bulletin 318 



for the weak pens. (Table 8.) If the value gain in weight be deducted 

 from the cost of food, the average cost per dozen is lowered to $0,108 

 for the strong and $0,117 for the weak. When value gain in weight is 

 not allowed, the Barred Plymouth Rock eggs cost more per dozen than 

 the Leghorns, by virtue of the larger amount of food consumed by the 

 fowls. If the cost of eggs be lessened by the value gain in weight, the Ply- 

 mouth Rocks produced eggs at as low a cost per dozen as the Leghorns. 



TABLE 8. Cost per Dozen Eggs Produced 

 (December 10, 1907, to December 7, 1908) 



Incubation 



The incubation of several hundred eggs per flock showed some advan- 

 tage in fertility and hatching power in favor of the strong pens. The 

 fertility was better and the number of chicks hatched was larger. The 

 number hatched in proportion to fertile eggs, also, was slightly larger in the 

 strong pens. (Table 9.) The average weight of the chicks was greater for 



TABLE 9. Incubation Report 

 (December 10, 1907, to December 7, 1908) 



