The Molting of Fowls. Z71 



The nutritive ratio, based on the total amount of digestible nutrients 

 consumed during the experiment by the six pens, varies but slightly 

 between the flocks of different ages, and even less between flocks of the 

 same age (Table II). All the rations may be said to be well balanced, 

 so far as our limited knowledge of what constitutes a properly balanced 

 ration for egg production may determine. 



Influence of method of feeding on gain or loss in weight. 



The average weight in the six flocks under observation when the 

 experiment began (August ii, 1906) was 3.5 pounds. At the close of 

 the starving period (the first four weeks of the experiment) it was 3.3 

 pounds. This loss was due entirely to the starved flocks, these hens 

 having lost an average of .42 pounds each, while the fed hens gained 

 an average of .08 pounds each. At the end of the molt, January 12, 

 1907, the starved hens averaged 3.66 pounds and the fed hens 3.74 

 pounds, a gain above the flrst weight by the starved fowls of .16 pounds 

 each, and by the fed of .25 pounds each, or .2 pounds average of all 

 flocks. In every case, in all the flocks, the hens lost in weight during 

 the process of molt; but many regained the lost flesh before the molt 

 was completed (Table III and Figs. 16 and 17). 



It will be observed that the two three-year-old flocks lost in the first 

 four weeks .22 of a pound; the two two-year-olds, .09 of a pound; and 

 the two one-year-olds, .12 of a pound. The starved hens, it will be 

 noted, lost on an average nearly one-half pound each, or about one- 

 seventh of their entire weight, equal to about 16%. This loss in weight, 

 was, however, quickly regained in the following five periods; i.e., by 

 about the middle of January, when all the flocks increased their weight 

 to the normal or above, preparatory to the period of increased egg- 

 production. 



Uniformity of molt and time of completion of molt of the starved and 



fed flocks. 



By examining Table IV it will be seen that about one-half of the 

 fowls in all of the flocks were beginning to molt in the first period, begin- 

 ning August nth, and that on September 29th, 1907, about 90% of 

 the starved hens and 78.8% of the fed hens were molting. By October 

 27 the percentage of molting was about equal and continued on this 

 equality to the end of the molt. 



In regard to new plumage, on October 27, only 6.3% of the starved 

 hens and 5.9% of the fed hens were completely refeathered. Novem- 

 ber 25th only 34.4% of the starved, and 62.2% of the fed hens were 



