AltliDUgli this abnoniiality apparently is not widespread, a similar eye 

 condition previously has been observed in the flock of a Massachusetts 

 Rhode Island Red breeder. This year a bulging-eyed female has been found 

 in another line of our station flock. 



Progress is being made in determining the mode of inheritance of the 

 character. 



W. M. Collins. P. A. Wilcox 



Restricted Feeding to Delay Pullet Maturity 



Restricted feeding of growing pullets is frequently advocated to delay 

 sexual maturity and increase initial egg size. Many poultrymen feel that 

 such a program does not produce the best pullets and actually does not 

 accomplish its intended purpose. 



In an experiment with chicks hatched in November both high-efficiency 

 and conventional-type feeds were used. Full feeding was compared with 

 a widely recommended restricted feeding program. In this program mash 

 feeding is limited to four hours per day, with oats fed in the afternoon 

 equivalent to a third of the mash consumed. Feed restriction was prac- 

 ticed only to 20 weeks of age after which time full feeding was followed. 



When the results were measured at a production level of 50 percent, 

 there was little difl^erence between the two types of feed. Restriction of 

 feed to 20 weeks of age amounted to 17.5 percent and resulted in an eight- 

 day delay in sexual maturity. Egg size was increased slightly while body 

 weight was less for the restricted birds. At 28 weeks of age the body 

 weights were essentially the same, but the restricted birds had laid fewer 

 eggs. Feed cost per bird was less during the growing period for the re- 

 stricted birds. Additional data on laying house performance will lie ob- 

 tained. 



R. C. RixGROSE, R. At. Hatch, L. AI. Potter 



How Much Protein for Egg Production with 

 Meat-type New Hampshires? 



It is the feeling of some poultrymen that meat-type New Hampshire 

 hens require more protein for egg production than do production strains 

 o^^ New Hampshires. This belief is probably based on the fact that the 

 meat strains are considerably larger and heavier birds than are the egg 

 strains. 



Two experiments have now been completed in which duplicate pens 

 of meat-type New Hampshire pullets were fed levels of 15 and 18 percent 

 protein. In addition, another set of duplicate pens in each experiment were 

 alternated from 15 to 18 to 15, etc.. percent protein every 4 weeks. 



No significant differences occurred between the two levels of protein. 

 Likewise the alternating level of protein did not produce any important 

 dift'erence nor did it give results that could be correlated with the changes 

 in protein level Thus the widely recommended level of 15 percent protein 

 for laying chickens is still satisfactory. 



R. C. RiNGROSE, L. M. Potter, R. M. Hatch 

 31 



