1106 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



that wluMi all were sold this lot of ponltry yielded a profit of $11.88. As regards the 

 effect of this system on different breeds the author states that less satisfactory results 

 were oLtained with Leghorns, Minorcas, and similar breeds, than with Wyandottes, 

 Orpingtons, etc., the Hghter birds feeling the cf)ld much more than the heavier. 



The system of not allowing yearling hens intended for breeders to lay during the 

 winter was tested to some extent, and the results obtained were considereil favorable. 



Using 16 lots of 12 chickens each, the relative value of skim milk, tankage, blood 

 meal, animal meal, and beef scrap supjjlementing grain (ground oats, ground buck- 

 wheat, and corn meal 2:2:1) was studied anil also the value of a ration of potatoes, 

 shorts, and skim milk. In nearly every case the rations were fed to lots in crates 

 and lots in pens to compare the merits of the 2 systems of feeding. On an average 

 the chickens weighed from 3 to 5 lbs. and in the 2 weeks of the trial the gain per 

 lot ranged from 9 lbs. on a ration of potatoes, shorts, and skim milk to 18 lbs. on a 

 ration of grain, skim milk, and animal meal. Considering the test as a whole, the 

 average gain made by the chickens fed skim milk and grain was 14.8 lbs., of those 

 fed packing-house by-products 14.1 lbs., and of those fed a potato ration 9.7 lbs. 

 The cost of feed per pound of gain ranged from 3.4 cts. with one of the lots fed grain 

 and gkim milk to 6.2 cts. with one of the lots fed grain and blood meal. This latter 

 lot required the greatest amount of grain per pound of gain, namely, 3.45 lbs. The 

 smallest quantity, 2.2 lbs., was required with one of the lots fed grain and tankage. 

 Of the different substitutes for skim milk tested the author considered digester tank- 

 age and animal meal the most satisfactory. 



"Blood meal did not give nearly so good returns; and furthermore, these rations 

 were not relished by the chickens. Beef scrap gave very good returns; but at sixty 

 to seventy dollars per ton, it is too expensive. The feeding of both animal meal and 

 skim milk does not appear to have any particular advantage over the feeding of 

 either one singly with the grain ration. 



"The potato and shorts [and skim milk] ration is only a fair one, but no doubt 

 would be very conveiiient for many farmers; and, where the market demands a half- 

 fat chicken, this ration is worthy of consideration. 



"The crate- fed birds made a pound of gaiii cheaper than the' l:)irds fed in pens; 

 but if we deduct the second trial in crate feeding, then the cost of a pound of gain is 

 about equal. The chickens fed on the potato ration did better in the pens. . . . 

 [Good chickens], weighing a little more than 3 lbs. each, are more profitable feeders 

 than larger birds." 



The relative profits of marketing ducks when first feathered as compared with 

 holding them until later Avas studied with a flock composed of 51 Pekins, Rouens 

 and Pekin and Indian Runner crosses. When 9 weeks old the ducks weighed on an 

 average 5.1 lbs. They were in good feather and ready for market; however, only 6 

 were killed. At the end of the next week the 45 ducks remaining had lost 7 lbs. in 

 weight as they were beginning to moult heavily. All but 13 were killed and sold. 

 In dressing they lost 0.75 lb. in weight per pair. "The necks were pulled in the 

 same manner as the chickens are killed. Had the ducks been bled, no doubt there 

 would have been a greater shrinkage." Deducting the price of the feed consumed 

 the author calculates that there was a profit of 34 cts. on each duck, and if they had 

 all been marketed when 9 weeks old the profit would have been 38 cts. The remain- 

 ing 13 ducks were fed a week longer and gained 2 lbs. in weight, consuming 27 lbs. 

 of grain and a like amount of skim milk. 



"There was not much gain made by the ducks until after the new feathers had 

 been fairly well grown. In fact, the cost of the feed eaten each week after the ninth 

 amounted to more than the price of pounds of gain made during the week. 



"From this trial it is very evident that when ducks become well feathered, that 

 this is the most profitable time to sell them; and, secondly, that the growth made 



