298 Bulletin 249. 



Of the sixteen earliest layers, seven laid less than ten eggs before 

 molting. One of these began laying again September 6, thirty-two days 

 later, but most did not renew egg production before December to Febru- 

 ary, four or five months later. The hens which laid more eggs before 

 molting began again about the same time as the others. During the time 

 thus lost eggs were about forty cents per dozen, while after that time the 

 price was much lower. Of the sixteen hens which first began production 

 after September ist, three did not molt at all until the end of the experi- 

 ment. The average number of eggs laid before molting by these hens 

 was 36.4, against 20.2 of the sixteen beginning earlier. Their average 

 egg production during the year was 92. against 86.9 of the earliest layers. 

 Table 19. 



Effect of a forcing mash on the winter egg supply. 

 Deductions from Tables 1-12. 



The number of eggs produced during October, November, December 

 and January, the months after molting when the hens usually lay the 

 fewest eggs and when the late hatched pullets are not mature enough to 

 lay, was as follows: 



Pen I — 309 eggs 2$jt, dozen 19.2 eggs per hen. 



Pen 2 — 452 eggs 37/2 dozen 22.6 eggs per hen. 



Forced — Pens i and 2 — 761 eggs 63/2 dozen 20.9 eggs per hen* 



Pen 3 — 261 eggs 21/0 dozen 14.5 eggs per hen. 



Pen 4 — 284 eggs 23/2 dozen 15 -7 eggs per hen. 



Retarded — Pens 3 and 4 — 545 eggs 45 f. dozen 15.1 eggs per hen. 



This gives the forced flocks eighteen dozen more eggs than were pro- 

 duced by the retarded hens. The average market price of these eggs 

 was thirty-four cents per dozen, making an excess in value of $6.12 in 

 favor of the forced hens, during the months of scarcity. The total eggs 

 from all four pens during these months was 108 J4! dozens, worth at the 

 market price $37.00. 



