FOUR METHODS OF FEEDING EARLY HATCHED PULLETS. 



The object of the experiment here described was to find out how to 

 feed early hatched pullets in order to secure best results in development, 

 production and profit. While early pullets are generally recognized as 

 the most profitable winter layers, it is commonly supposed that pullets 

 hatched extra-early are not so well adapted to this purpose. 



It has been thought that these earliest pullets should receive special 

 treatment designed to check the laying tendency during late summer, 

 with the hope of getting larger egg yield in early winter. This treat- 

 ment is called retarding. The pullets, just approaching maturity, are 

 allowed a grass run, and a satisfying ration of whole grain with a limited 

 proportion of beef scrap, but no ground grain. 



It is thought by many that if these pullets should be Forced — i. e., 

 fed a rich, stimulating mash to induce egg production — they will lay a 

 few small eggs, and molt prematurely, thus greatly reducing their vitality ; 

 that, in this case, it would be a long time before they would resume 

 egg production, their bodies would be permanently stunted, and their 

 eggs would continue smaller than is natural to their variety. 



This experiment was undertaken with the hope of obtaining results, 

 either for or against these theories, and of finding a method of feeding 

 which could be recommended for early hatched pullets.* 



PART I.— A COMPARISON OF FEEDING GROUND GRAIN 



AND UNGROUND GRAIN. 



The experiment was begun with eighty Single Comb White Leghorn 

 pullets, and conducted for a term of 364 days, the time being divided 

 into thirteen periods of twenty-eight days each. It was started July 28, 

 1906, and closed July 27, 1907. 



The four pens were numbered i, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, and each 

 contained twenty pullets hatched February 27th, making them five 

 months old. 



Some of the pullets were laying (though most were less mature) 

 and all seemed to be healthy. They were so selected that the flocks as 



Clara Nixon, Assistant in Poultry Husbandry, conducted the experiment here 

 discussed and prepared a large part of the matter for publication. 



* The words Forced and Retarded are used in this bulletin in connection with 

 the theory above mentioned in order to make the results more easily understood. 

 It must not be assumed that because the terms Forced and Retarded are used in 

 discussing the various pens that the theory is accepted as true. It was one of the 

 chief objects of the experiment to find out whether or not these theories were 

 correct. 



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