72 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



least trouble. " One ben laid in 20 days after being put out with chicks. 

 Nearly all the bens laid in reasonable time and tbeir plumage was glossy." 



The value of different feed mixtures, some of wbieb contained molasses, was 

 tested in a 2 weels' period with 9 lots of 12 birds each. The greatest gain, 15.5 

 lbs. per lot, was noted on a ration of shredded wheat and corn meal 1 : 1 mixed 

 with molasses and sour milk, and the smallest gain, 6 lbs. per lot, on bread and 

 sour milk. With this lot the cost of a pound of gain was 9.58 cts., the high- 

 est value noted, while with the first mentioned lot it was 5.04 cts., the lowest 

 value noted. 



When different rations for tleshing chickens were tested with 5 lots of 12 

 birds each for a week, the greatest gain. 9 lbs. per lot. was found with the 

 chickens fed shredded wheat, corn meal, and oatmeal 1 :1 :1 with sour milk, and 

 the gain was also most cheaply made with this lot, costing 3.38 cts. per pound. 

 The smallest gain, 6.5 lbs. per lot, was noted with the lot fed shredded wheat 

 mixed with whey. The gain was most expensive with the lot fed shredded 

 wheat and corn meal 1 :1 with molasses and sour milk, costing 5.98 cts. per 

 pound. 



" It will be noticed that a mixture of grain gave better results than any single 

 food. We have had similar results in previous years, and generally speaking I 

 would recommend a mixed ration in preference to one composed of any single 

 grain. 



" Molasses has not so far proved to be an economical food as to cost or 

 number of pounds of gain produced. It also appeared to induce feather pulling. 



" Whey did not give as good results as milk, yet is a food worth considering. 

 This year's tests and last year's tests [E. S. R., 17, p. 177] both indicate that 

 whey has considerable value. 



" Shredded wheat made a better showing- than either bread or ground wheat. 

 The chickens fed on bread soon tire of the ration and in one instance developed 

 indigestion. Ground wheat was relished better for the entire period of feeding 

 than was shredded wheat, but did not make as economical gains." 



Several rations were tested in which weed seeds formed half or all of the 

 grain ration. The birds absolutely refused to eat these rations with the excep- 

 tion of one which was made up of refuse shredded wheat biscuit and weed seeds 

 1 :1 mixed with milk. 



To determine whether weed seeds could be used as a feeding stuff despite tke 

 fact that the hens did not like them, a test was made in which such seeds mixed 

 with water were fed with a cramming machine. The recorded data show that 

 the chickens lost weight. 



" The results were that the birds appeared to be unable to digest the food. 

 Apparently there are some seeds which are indigestible, so far as chickens are 

 concerned. If the crops were moderately well filled it would take almost 3<; 

 hours to empty them ; so that we found to feed them twice a day we could give 

 but very small quantities. The food did not seem to satisfy the birds at all ; 

 or, in other words, when they were put back in the coops they would whine and 

 be constantly looking for something to eat. They acted as if they were starving 

 to death. In fact, after feeding 1 week we found it necessary, in order' to save 

 the birds' lives, to change the method of feeding entirely." 



Some data are also recorded regarding the gains made after the weed seed 

 period and also by birds fed shredded wheat and weed seeds. 



In a test of the gains made by ducks of different varieties it was found that 

 in 9 weeks Pekin ducks made an average gain of 4.6 lbs. and Cayugas 4.17 lbs., 

 and in 8 weeks Indian Runners 3.21 l!)s. per bead. Tlie grain required per 

 |)ound of gain in the 3 cases was 2.6. .3.12, and 3 lbs., respectively. All the lots 



