820 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



lots of laying- heus to test the relative value of grouud. aud whole 

 grains. Lots 1 and 2 were White Leghorns and lots 3 and 4 Baflf Cochins. 

 Each lot contained about the same number of hens. The experiment 

 began December 14 and continued 1 year, being divided into periods of 

 28 days each. The detailed results for each period are not given. The 

 heus were kept in i)ens about 10 bj^ 12 ft., and each lot had access to a 

 small yard deeply covered with coal ashes. Previous to the experiment 

 the hens were fed a ration similar to that used during the test. 



Lots 1 and 3 were fed in the morning a mixture of grouud grain which 

 was moistened with hot water and fed warm during cold weather, and 

 moistened with water at ordinary temperature during hot weather. 

 They were fed all they would eat readily of this mixture, and during 

 the day they were given a lirtle whole grain scattered in straw in addi- 

 tion. The grain mixture consisted of ground llaxseed, wheat bran, 

 wheat middlings, corn meal, ground oats, ground barley, and ground 

 buckwheat. During several months the flaxseed was omitted. 



Lots 2 and 1 were fed practically the same mixture of grain whole, 

 with cracked corn. It was scattered on the floor of the pens and none 

 was left uneaten. 



Twice a week the 4 lots were fed all the cut fresh bones they would 

 eat and during 3 periods skim milk was also fed. Either green alfalfa, 

 cabbage, corn silage, or soaked chopped hay was fed at noon, the 

 moistened hay being fed warm to lots 1 and 3. The hens always had 

 access to stone grit and oyster shells. 



The average composition of the grain mixture and the other foods, as 

 well as the results of the experiment, are given in tabular form. The 

 financial statement is based on corn at 50.1 cts., oats at 37.9 cts., barley 

 at 61.4 cts., and buckwheat at 56.1 cts. per bushel; wheat bran at $16, 

 wheat middlings at $17, corn at $19.20, ground oats at $24, ground bar- 

 ley at $25.00, ground buckwheat at $23.00, alfalfa hay at $9.60, alfalfa 

 forage at $2, and cabbage and corn silage at $3 per ton; skim milk at 

 24 cts., cut bone at 80 cts., oyster shells at $1, and stone grit at $1 per 

 100 lbs. ; and flaxseed, ground or whole, 2i cts. per pound. 



The results are briefly summarized in the following table: 



Results of experiment >i in feediiuj hens whole and (/round grains. 



" (1) Two pens of laying hens, one of a large and the other of a small breed, hav- 

 ing a ration the grain of which was whole, ate during their second year somewhat 

 more food at a little greater cost than 2 similar pens ha% ing a ration in which half 

 the graiu was ground and moistened. 



