Four Methods of Feeding Early Hatched Pullets. 



309 



Eggs from the dry mash and grain fed hens were largest during the 

 seventh period (January-February), but decreased in weight from that 

 time to the close of the experiment. The reason for this decrease might 

 be the heavier molt in this' pen. The eggs from the wet mash and grain 

 fed hens continued to increase in size. 



Fertility and hatching poiver of eggs. 



While the fertility in the dry mash and grain fed pen was least, the 

 hatching power was best of all the four pens. Of the eggs from this pen 

 which were put into machines, 77.6 per cent, gave good chickens. The 

 hand-fed grain hens came next with 73.2 per cent. The hopper-fed grain 

 hens gave best fertility, but fewest chickens for the eggs incubated. 

 (Table 22.) 



1906 



Periods 



of 28 days 



each 



Per cent 60 

 Percent so 

 Per cent 40 



Percent 30 

 Per cent 20 

 Per cent 10 

 Per cent o 



July 

 Aug. 



AuR. 

 Sept. 



Sept. 

 Oct. 



Oct. 



Nov. 



Nov. 

 Dec. 



Dec. 

 Jan. 



Jan. 

 Feb. 



Feb. 

 Mar. 



Mar. 

 Apr. 



June 

 July 



13 



WefJMash 

 Dry Mash 



-f-f-f Pen I. 



Pen 2. 



Hand-fed Grain Pen 3. 



Hopper-fed Grain Pen 4. 



Fig. 126. — Methods of forcing and retarding. Per cent, egg production. 



These curves of production furnish a striking illustration of the uniformity of 

 production of different flocks during the same months, even under different condi- 

 tions of feeding. It clearly points to the general conclusion that the seasons have a 

 greater influence on production than does age of fowl or ordinary difference in 

 methods of feeding. 



