178 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



and vitality of the chicks, a record was kept of the eggs set and cliickens hatched 

 from a number of lots of hens which were closely confined in a warm house during 

 the winter, as compared with those which were allowed to run in cold, fresh air. 



According to the author, the results showed that "the chicks from the eggs of hens 

 which had voluntary run during winter proved strong and lived, while the chicks 

 from the closely confined died, with the exception of 2, which did not make satisfac- 

 tory growth. . . . (Jerms evidently became strong at 12 or 15 days after the hens had 

 a run outside. Tliis will answer a (luestiou often asked as to when the eggs of hens 

 closely confined l)ecome strong. . . . Results from eggs put into an incubator during 

 early springtime were very similar to those obtained from eggs under hens at the 

 same period. There was a large and discouraging munber of chickens dead in the 

 shell, at or about the i)ipping stage. This great mortality in fully developed chickens 

 almost ready to leave the shell has been and is the subject of much discussion. . . . 

 Investigation into and discussion of the subject, up to the present time seem to war- 

 rant the call for ' fresh air and more of it for breeding stock and incubators.' " 



Figures are given showing the gains made by the station chickens in 3 months. 

 The weight of cockerels ranged from 3 lbs. 2 oz. in the case of White Wyandottes and 

 FaveroUes to 5 lbs. 1 oz. in the case of second cross Light Brahma X Barred Plymouth 

 Rocks. The effect of early penning up of fowls was shown by the fact that 70 kept 

 in a poultry house with a run during the month of November laid 192 eggs, while 

 during the same time 147 hens and jiullets allowed to run at large in a field laid 132 

 eggs. "The advantage is apparently with the penned fowls." 



Brief statements are also made regarding the rations fed the station poultry, the 

 eggs laid during the year, and during the months when prices were highest. 



Subdepartment of poultry report, H. C. Gardiner {Montana Sta. Rpt. 1902, 

 pp. 96-100). — According to the experience of the station, poultry houses may profit- 

 ably be heated, an average temperature of 45-50° F. V)eing regarded as most satisfac- 

 tory. Little artificial heat is recpiired in a properly constructed house while the sun 

 is shining. "The most successful method of heating poultry buildings, and the only 

 practical method for poultry plants, is a hot-water pipe system, but for the average 

 building a small stove serves the purpose admirably." 



The advantages of shade for poultry in summer are discussed. In the experience of 

 the station. Mammoth Russian sunflower is very satisfactory for this purpose. The 

 plant makes a large growth, affords abundant shade and also jirotection from hawks, 

 while the mature heads are a useful feed. The need of green forage for poultry is 

 also spoken of, clover being recommended for permanent pasturage and oats for early 

 forage. 



In the experience of the station Brown Leghorns are the most satisfactory breed 

 for raising under local conditions. The results of 3 years' experimenting shows that 

 the large combs and wattles, which are a disadvantage in a northern climate, may 

 be greatly diminished in size by care, breeding, and selection. 



Cooperative poultry experiments. The yearly record of three flocks, 

 H. H. Wing [New York Cornell Sta. Bui. 211, pp. 261-279, fig. i).— With 3 of the 

 flocks included in a test previously reported (E. 8. R., 14, p. 486) the station has con- 

 tinued cooperative poultry experiments in order to secure data covering one year. 

 The 3 flocks contained on an average from 290 to 509 birds, exclusive of males. In 

 the year from Decem])er 1, 1901, to November ,30, 1902, which includes the 3 months 

 of the earlier test, the average daily egg production for the 3 flocks representing 1,250 

 fowls was 34. 7 eggs per 100 fowls. The total yearly production per hen averaged 129. 7 

 eggs, the average cost of food per dozen eggs was 9.2 cts., the cost of feeding a hen 

 for the year 99.6 cts., and the average selling price of the eggs 21.4 cts. per dozen. 

 "The average value of the eggs at market rates exceeded the cost of food by 11.31 per 

 hen. Forty-four per cent of the total value of product was required for food." 



