The Molting of Fowls. 377 



restricted ration will be termed the " starved " flocks and the three that were fed 

 in the usual way will be called the " fed " flocks. 



The flocks were so arranged as to compare the effect of the so-called "forcing 

 of the molt" on fowls of three different ages. Flocks 5 (starved) and 8 (fed) were 

 three years old: flocks 19 (starved) and 22 (fed) were two years old; and flocks 

 24 (starved) and 25 (fed) were one year old. 



Each flock received the same kind of mixed grains, which were thrown into 

 the litter every morning and evening. This mixture was varied from time to 

 time throughout the experiment for periods beginning with dates as follows: 



August II, 1906 — cracked com, lofb; wheat, 6tt); oats, 81b. 



January 12, 1907 — com, ^Yh; wheat, 31b; oats, 41b; buckwheat, 2lb. 



March 30, 1907 — cracked com, 31b; wheat, 31b; oats, 2fb. 



June 29, 1907 — com, isfb; wheat, 9tb; oats, i2fb. 



August 24, 1907 — cracked com, lotb; wheat, 61b; oats, 4tb. 



The ground grains and meat mixture was hopper-fed to flocks 19 and 22, the 

 hoppers being open at all times. The same ground grain and meat mixture was 

 fed to flocks 5 and 8 and 24 and 25 in a moist condition, water and occasionally 

 vegetable soup being used to moisten it. This ground grain and meat mixture 

 was varied from time to time for periods beginning with dates as follows: 



August II, 1906 — com meal, 41b; wheat bran, 2tb; wheat middlings, 31b; oil 

 meal, ilb; alfalfa meal, itb; meat scraps, ilb. 



January 25, 1907 — corn meal, 41b; wheat bran, 2lb; wheat middlings, 3tb; oil 

 meal, ilb; alfalfa meal, ilb; meat scraps, 2 lb. 



February 15, 1907 — com meal, 81b; w^heat bran, 2 lb; wheat middlings. 2 lb; oil 

 meal, ilb; alfalfa meal, ilb; meat scraps, 2 lb. 



March 23, 1907 — com meal, 51b; wheat bran, 31b; wheat middlings, 41b; oil 

 •meal, ilb; alfalfa meal, ^Ib; meat scraps, 41b. 



Mangel beets were fed in limited quantity during the winter months, as was 

 also green cut bone. 



Grit and oyster shells were always accessible. 



Observations and records. 



All of the fowls were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and at the end 

 of important periods in the experiment. Observations were made of the fertility 

 and hatching-power of eggs from the trap-nested pens. The conditions of pro- 

 duction, and broodiness and general health were observed in all the pens throughout 

 the experiment. 



Molting observations were made of each hen every week throughout the molting 

 season, beginning August nth, 1906, and continuing until the hens had all com- 

 pleted their molt, on January 26th, 1907. 



To aid in observing the molt, and to detect quickly fowls that escaped from 

 the pens, the hens (all White Leghoms) were dipped in Diamond Dyes (Fig. 13). 

 The feathers took the stain well, thus making distinctly visible the new white 

 plumage that later appeared. In order to tabulate the observations of the various 

 stages of the molt they were designated as follows, as shown in the tables: 



(i) N. M.=Not Molting — The hen is shedding no feathers. 



(2) F=Few Feathers — Only a few feathers are coming out; sometimes at the 

 throat, but oftener a few in each section. 



(3) H=Heavy Molt — The energy of the hen is devoted to producing a new 

 coat, and large numbers of pin-feathers are present. 



