DISCUSSION 



The results in Part 1 indicated that when feed was provided in mash 

 form and one square foot of floor space was provided per bird, liirht in- 

 tensities up to 120 foot candles were not factors in initiating feather picking. 



With respect to body weight, the evidence presented indicated that whether 

 the day was 12 hours or 24 hours long, the final body weight of broiler was 

 not affected. Many broiler growers utilize all-night lights and this experi- 

 ment indicated that this practice is not warranted in respect to growth. 



Birds exposed to only 15 foot candles weighed more than those exposed 

 to 60 or 120 foot candles, but the differences were not significant, llannnond 

 and Titus (1941) mentioned that chicks in an environment of low light in- 

 tensity did not readily learn to eat, which in turn influenced their weight. 

 It can probably be assumed, although their paper did not specify, that thev 

 were dealing with an intensify lower than 15 foot candles. This intensity 

 proved ample, in this experiment, to enable the birds to eat. In regards to 

 the other characteristics of feed conversion, mortality rate, and uniformity 

 of body weight, neither light intensity nor light dosage had any significant 

 effect upon the results. 



The results in Part 2 indicated that when males were fed pelleted feed, 

 the increase in feather picking was statistically highly significant. When 

 males were crowded with only -(. square foot of floor space, the increase 

 in feather picking likewise was statistically significant. It should be noted 

 that no debeaking was practiced in the experiment. Based on industry ex- 

 perience, debeaking would probably have permitted the use of pelleted feed 

 and crowding without increased feather picking. As in Part 1. light in- 

 tensity studied by itself, without the stress of pelleted feed or crowding. 

 produced only very minor feather picking. It was apparent that feed form 

 and floor space allotment were critical factors in producing feather picking. 

 High intensity (120 foot candles) combined with pelleted feed and crowd- 

 ing {% square foot per bird) resulted in the highest rate of feather picking. 



Heavier body weight was obtained in the 15 foot candles group than 

 in the corresponding groups with 120 foot candles, although the differences 

 were not consistent for all combinations of space and trials. Body weight 

 was heavier for the pellet-fed than for the mash-fed groups, though not 

 consistently so. The superior feed conversion resulting from ])ellet com- 

 pared to mash feeding was statistically significant. Floor space allotments 

 .'Studied failed to exert any significant effect upon either body weight or 

 feed conversion. 



Neither feed form, space allotment, nor light intensit) had any significant 

 effect upon percent mortality or upon uniformity of body weight. 



16 



