Full Fed 



Mash was kept in the hoppers at all times. Starting mash was fed to 

 12 weeks of age and growing mash from 12 to 20 weeks of age. 



Restricted 



For the first two weeks the chicks were full fed. Starting at two weeks 

 of age, the feeding time was gradually reduced (approx. 1 hour per week) 

 until, at seven weeks of age they were limited to four hours of mash feed- 

 ing each morning. Enough mash was placed in the hoppers so that at the 

 end of the four-hour feeding period the hoppers were empty. Starting at 

 two weeks of age the chicks were fed oats, increasing the amount as rap- 

 idly as possible until the oats comprised 25 percent of the total feed. The 

 oats were fed at 4:00 p.m. This system of feeding was continued until the 

 pullets were 20 weeks of age. Starting mash was fed for the first 5 weeks 

 and growing mash from 5 to 20 weeks of age. Sufficient hopper space was 

 provided so that all chickens could eat at the same time. 



Because of limited laying house facilities, at 16 weeks of age a random 

 sample of 35 pullets was moved to the laying pens. At 20 weeks of age 

 each pen was placed on the same feeding program for the laying period. 

 Th : s program consisted of feeding a 15 percent protein all-mash breeder 

 feed supplemented with a 20 percent protein breeder mash pellet and 

 whole oats. Laying house records were obtained to 52 weeks of age. 



The data from this experiment is presented in Table 1. 



Experiment 3 was a repetition of Experiment 1. The only change in the 

 feeding program was that in the restricted feeding system enough mash was 

 placed in the hoppers so that at the end of the four-hour feeding period 

 mash was left in the hoppers. At this time the hoppers were removed from 

 the pens. This procedure was adopted because it made the mechanics of 

 handling the experiment simpler and insured availability of feed for the 

 four-hour period. 



The experiment was started in October. 1953, with duplicate groups 

 on each feeding program. Meat-type New Hampshire chicks from the 

 same commercial source as used in Experiment 1 were utilized. At the 

 start 122 chicks were randomized into each pen. Cockerels were removed 

 at 10 weeks of age. 



The data from this experiment is presented also in Table 1. 



Since the results from Experiments 1 and 3 indicated that feed restric- 

 tion on a time basis was not too successful and at certain periods may 

 result in no feed restriction, attention was turned to feed restriction on a 

 poundage basis. 



Experiment 4 was designed to compare full feeding with an 80 percent 

 of full feed program utilizing spring-hatched, range-reared stock. The same 

 commercial source of New Hampshire chicks as used in previous experi- 

 ments was utilized. The experiment was started in March, 1954, with 

 duplicate pens for each feed treatment and 112 sexed pullet chicks random- 

 ized into each pen. 



For the full fed groups the all-mash feeding system was used throughout 

 the rearing period. Starting mash was fed to 6 weeks of age after which 

 growing pellets were fed to 20 weeks of age. The restricted groups were 

 full fed to six weeks of age with starting mash. Small quantities of oats 



