growing period is not lost at this particular time in the production period. 

 Likewise total feed consumption at the end of the production period main- 

 ly reflects the difference in feed consumption during the growing period. 



The data for egg production, mortality, and percentage hatching eggs 

 show small differences not always in the same direction. 



The results from Experiment 6 for the groups restricted 29 percent in 

 feed intake are of interest. As mentioned previously, at this particular 

 time we wished to measure sexual maturity delay as the result of what 

 was felt to be a severe restriction program. For this reason confinement 

 rearing was practiced. 30 percent restriction was chosen, and the restric- 

 tion program started at two weeks of age. This management program re- 

 sulted in a marked reduction of 8 pounds in feed intake with a resulting 

 decrease of 1.2 pounds in body weight at 20 weeks of age. However, dur- 

 ing the production period, these pullets performed as well as pullets full 

 fed or less severely restricted during the growing period. 



The data in Table 3 is presented to show that light breed chickens re- 

 spond to restricted feeding in essentially the same way as do heavy breed 

 chickens. 



In order that one may see the average results to be expected from re- 

 stricted feeding. Table 5 has been prepared. This table presents the aver- 

 age results for Experiments 1 through 8 for the more important points under 

 consideration. Also the difference between these averages is presented. An 

 indication of the significance of the figures was obtained by calculation 

 of the statistic "t" for difference between means divided by the standard 

 error of the difference. Experiment 9 was not included in this table of 

 average results since the feed treatments in this experiment were combined 

 with lighting programs to measure combined effects. 



Studv of the data in Table 5 indicates that the outstanding advantage of 

 restricted feeding during the growing period is the feed saved, and the re- 

 sulting economy, in growing a pullet. An approximate 20 percent reduction 

 in the feed allowed during the growth of a pullet results in a saving of 4 to 

 4.25 pounds of feed, decreases the pullet weight about one-half pound, 

 and delays sexual maturity 8 to 9 days, without any apparent harm or 

 major influence on results obtained during the laying period. The feed 

 saved during the growing period is not consumed at a later date to make 

 up the body weight as is evident from the feed consumption records ob- 

 tained during the period when this weight is made up. Further evidence 

 for this fact appears also in the total feed consumption data. The differ- 

 ence in total feed consumed is essentially the difference in feed consumed 

 during the growing period. 



While there is an actual delay in production of first eggs by the re- 

 stricted fed pullets, there is considerable tendency also for the restricted 

 fed pullets to lay at a slower rate until the body weight is made up. Since 

 there is no appreciable difference in feed consumption at this time, it 

 would appear that feed was being used for weight gain at the expense 

 of egg production. Following the attainment of body size there comes in- 

 creased production with a general tendency for the restricted pullets to 

 reach a little higher peak of production. It is during this period that the 

 restricted fed pullets catch up in number of eggs with the full fed pullets 

 which started laying at an earlier age. However, since mature egg size has 

 not been attained at this time, all of the additional eggs laid by the re- 

 stricted fed pullets are not additional hatching eggs. Hence the end re- 



13 



