\ \l M \l. PRODUCTION. .".-'.» 



following these birds laid on an average l 15 eggs each a1 a calculated profil i 

 per bird. 



"While the e-:_ r yields of this group of birds were verj satisfactory, the mone) 

 returns from them were particularly so, for the reason thai the) did their work dur- 

 ing that pari of the year when prices were highest. . . Earlj maturity in pul- 

 lets is generally accompanied b) physical \ igor and \\ hen the function of such birds 

 is t<» produce eggs, and they give evidence of it. they are certainlj the besl of their 

 race to breed winter egg producers from, if we accepl pasl experiences in breeding 

 as our guides." 



Eggs from hens over a year old have given larger chicks and larger mature birds 

 than those from younger stock, yel in chicks from eggs laid bj vigorous pullets show 

 ing early maturity "we have never been able to discover any lack of constitution or 

 \- i i_r« > i- . . . and know no reason why they are nol desirable as workers." 



At the station work has been carried on with the same family of Barred Plymouth 

 Rocks for 25 years, and methods of feeding have been developed which are consid- 

 ered satisfactory. Throughoul the year- each pen of 22 chicken- received I pt. of 

 Wheal early in the morning, a half pint of natsat 9.30 a. in., and a half pint of cracked 

 corn at I p. in., these grains being scattered in litter. At 3 p. in. in winter ami 1 



p. in. in summer they were given all the mash they would eal up clean in half an hour 

 composed of wheal bran, corn meal, wheat middlings, linseed meal, gluten meal, and 

 beef scrap 2: 1:1:1:1:1, with one-fourth of its bulk of soaked clover leaves and 

 beads added. Cracked hone, oyster shell. <:rit, and water were always supplied, and 

 each pen was also given - large mangels daily. "Very few soft-shelled eggs were 



laid, and so far as known not an egg has been eaten by the hens during the lasl 5 

 years."' 



The records which have been kept show that 50 to 55 lhs. of the dry meal- were 

 eaten per hen per year on an average in addition to IS. 2 lhs. wheat. 6.4 lhs. cracked 

 coin. 5.8 lhs. oats. 5.9 lbs. oyster shells, .'I.L* lhs. dry poultry hone, 2.9 lhs. mica grit, 



and in lbs. of mangels. The straw required for litter has averaged 36 lbs. per bird 

 per year. The average egg yield has been aboul L50 eggs each. "The amount of 

 food required by the birds kept in this house [where the temperature was at all 

 times above the freezing point] . . . was always less during the winter season than 



where birds were kept in the colder houses.*' 



The value of cracked corn and beef scrap compared with the moist mash mentioned 

 above was tested with 300 pullets divided into 2 equal lots. The moisl mash was 

 fed toward evening, as was also the dry cracked corn, which was supplied ad libitum 



in troughs. The dry beef scrap was kept within reach of the poultry at all time-. 

 The cost of feed and straw of the lot receiving the mash was si. 7.". per hird per year 

 and of the lot receiving dry feed $1.69. The yearly egg yield was 151 per chicken 

 on moisl and 149 On dry im\. So far as could be judged by egg yield, appearance. 



or health, no marked difference could he noted iii the two lots. When the birds 

 helped themselves to heef scrap they ate on an average L4.7 lbs. per year, as com- 

 pared with 8.7 lbs. in the case of those receiving this feed as a part of the mash. 

 " The quantity of oyster shell, bone, and gril eaten by the birds having a constanl 

 Mippk of heef scrap was markedly less than when the supply of scrap was limited 

 to that contained in the mash." 



The value of dry feed was further tested with 550 pullets, which were qoI -elected 



with special reference to their egg-laying qualities. A dry mixture of the materials 

 peed in the mash mentioned above was constantly kept before the birds in troughs 

 with slatted fronts so thai they could help themselves at will. At tir-t they were 

 not used to the dry mixture and ate of it sparingly, hut later ate it readily. When- 

 ever feeds of cracked corn and oats were supplied to them "the birds were always 

 readv and anxious for them and would scratch iii the litter for the very la-t kernel 



