28 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 304 



lected on December 17, 1936, by T. B. Charles, P. A. Wilcox, D. W. 

 Flagg, and A. E. Tepper. One group was cared for in complete con- 

 finement and the other on open range. Several toms were used during 

 the breeding season alternating twice each week. 



As soon as the birds in group one were confined to the pen, the ap- 

 plication of morning lights was started and managed as with chickens. 

 All birds were fed the New England Conference turkey breeder ration 

 with the addition of supplementary feedings of condensed buttermilk 

 and moist mash. 



The birds in the confined group started to lay on January 11, eight 

 weeks previous to the start of production from the range-managed 

 birds. The confined group averaged 36.08 eggs per bird, and the range 

 group 30.45 eggs per bird over the twenty-four-week test period. 



There was a marked difference in type of feed consumed by the two 

 lots. Those confined had an approximate mash-scratch intake ratio of 

 3 :1 while the group on the range ate in the proportion of 1 :2. 



The weight of birds in both groups averaged approximately the same 

 at the start and finish of the experimental period. The weight per bird 

 increased up to the time of egg production after which a noticeable de- 

 cline in weight took place. 



It is evident that through confinement of turkey breeders and use of 

 artificial lights egg production can be stimulated and birds induced to 

 lay early in the season. No significant differences in egg size, mainte- 

 nance of body weight or hatchability were apparent. (State Fund) 



Range Shelter vs. Continued Use of Colony Brooder House 

 in the Rearing of New Hampshires 



Two groups of 350 New Hampshire chicks were started under gas 

 brooders by T. B. Charles, A. E. Tepper, P. A. Wilcox and R. C. Durgin 

 in colony houses on March 25, 1937, and managed similarly in all re- 

 spects up to nine weeks of age. At this period one group was trans- 

 ferred to a range shelter with the use of limited range area and the 

 other allowed a similar range area but continued to range from colony 

 house. The application of heat to both groups was discontinued in the 

 seventh week. Male birds were removed in the fourth week. 



Detailed records on mortality, growth, feather development, feed con- 

 sumption and sexual maturity were maintained. The total mortality 

 through the twenty-four-week test period for the range group was 2.57 

 per cent, and for the colony house group 2.85 per cent. All deaths oc- 

 curred previous to the fourth week of age. 



At the time of transfer to range areas both groups weighed approxi- 

 mately the same, i. e., 1.7 pounds per pullet. At the end of the test 

 period the group in range shelter averaged 4.88 pounds per bird and the 

 group in colony house averaged 4.92 pounds per bird. 



The group ranging from colony house consumed a total of 28.043 lbs. 

 of feed per bird over the test period whereas the range shelter group 

 consumed but 25.912 lbs. per bird. 



Although the date of first egg (August 19) was the same for both 

 groups the rate of production was significantly different. The colony 



