ic July, i(;i::.| Report on Egg-layiiig Competition, igii-u. 437 



The evening nu'al was composed of a grain mixlun^ 4 parts wheat 

 (approximately 19^ lbs.), 3 parts broken maize (a])pr()\imately ii| lbs.), 

 and 2 parts of short oats (approximately 6^ lbs). The allowance lo each 

 pen W'as, approximately, 12^ ozs. A ratio is obtained from this food of 

 I : 8.6, or an average for the day of i : 4.13. 



Variations in Feeding. 

 It is impossible in dealing with a large number of birds to adhere to 

 any strict rule-of -thumb methods throughout a twelve-months' competition. 

 The above ration may. however, be taken as typical of that given during 

 the cold weather. Under warmer conditions variations were made, as, for 

 example, the meat ration was reduced, and only 12 lbs. of meat used in 

 place of the 25 lbs., whilst the quantitv of lucerne chaff was increased ; ^also, 

 the mid-dav mash was omitted, and a handful of grain scattered in each 

 pen to induce exercise. For the evening meal the maize ration was reduced, 

 and in some cases wheat only would be given. Pens containing heavier 

 breeds received a slightly increased quantity ; whilst occasionally it would 

 be found that a pen would become slightly sluggish in appetite, and under 

 such circumstances it was necessarv to reduce the ration until their avidity 

 for food returned. Discretion is necessary in such matters to prevent the 

 bringing about of digestive derangements ; and a large measure of the 

 success achieved is attributable to care in this matter, for in no cases 

 throughout the competition was "sour crop " or other digestive troubles 

 encountered. A con.stant supplv of shell grit, charcoal, &:c., was main- 

 tained in separate receptacles, placed within easy reach of the birds. 



Amount of Food Purchased. 



At the close of the competition there was op hand i bag 

 maize, i bag of lucerne, i charcoal, 2 of oats 5 of 

 bran, 2 of pollard, 50*" wheat, and half a bag of 

 bone-meal ... ... ... ... ... ^0 2 2 



The cost of feeding prior to the opening of the com- 

 petition while the birds were in the peiis was . . ^ ;^ 2 



The cost of feeding Pen No. 29 (disqualified) for four- 

 teen weeks was ... ... ... ... ... oiio 



£^4 16 4 



Therefore, ihe cost cf feeding 66 pens throiigiiout the 



competition was ... ... •■• ..._^i28 6 2 



If allowance were made for the amount cA food eaten by rats, which 

 were, unfortunately, somewhat numerous at times, the cost of feeding 

 would be appreciablv less. 



