Four Methods of Feeding Early Hatched Pullets. 



287 



The retarded hens were sHghtly larger at first (Table 14), and 

 gained rapidly in weight during the first period. The second period the 

 forced hens nearly equalled them in weight. The third period the forced 

 hens were heavier, and remained so nearly to the end of the experiment. 

 However, during the twelfth period, the retarded hens averaged slightly 

 heavier than the forced hens. Fig. 118. 



Forced- 



-Pens I and 2. 



Retarded Pens 3 and 4. 



Fig. 118. — Forcing vs. retarding pullets. Average weight of hens. 



It will be noticed that the highest increase in weight was during January when 

 the pullets were about to commence their heaviest laying, and the average weight 

 per hen decreased continuously until the close of the active laj'ing period, July. 



The gain in weight among the forced hens was about 1.2 pounds per 

 hen, or fifty per cent, on the first weight. The gain of the retarded 

 hens was nearly one poinid, or 2)7 per cent, on the first weight. 



1007 



Table XV. — Average Egg Production per Hen in 364 Days. 



