40 



The results of this method of feeding are satisfactory. The labor 

 of feeding is far less than that required by any other method. The 

 birds do not hang around the troughs and over-eat, but help them- 

 selves, a little at a time, and range off, hunting, or playing and come 

 back again, when so inclined to the food supply at the troughs. 

 There is no rushing or crowding about the attendant, as is usual at 

 feeding time, where large numbers are kept together. 



For the last 8 years the first eggs have been lain when the pullets 

 were from 4 months and 10 days, to 4 months and 20 days old. 

 There is some danger of the pullets getting developed and commenc- 

 ing laying too early for the best results, under this system of feeding. 

 In order to prevent such conditions, the houses should not be 

 located too close to each other, or to the feed troughs, and a large 

 range should be given them so they may be induced to work, which 

 they will do if given the opportunity, early after their removal to the 

 fields. Should the birds show too great precocity, and that they are 

 liable to commence laying in August, the supply of cracked corn and 

 wheat in the feeding trough is reduced, or taken away altogether, 

 which causes them to eat the oats and dry meal instead, and they 

 continue to grow and develop without getting ripe too soon." 



Experiments in Egg Production. 



• During the past thirteen years the Experiment Station has devoted 

 a moderate amount of attention each year to experiments with poul- 

 try. These have been designed for the most part to throw light up- 

 on the methods of feeding for eggs. A very brief account of the 

 experiments of the preceding year has usually been included in the 

 annual reports published since the experiments began. It is the 

 purpose of this paper to present a brief summary of this work with 

 a view to emphasizing the practical conclusions which the results 

 appear to justify. In presenting this summary, free use is made of 

 the annual reports above referred to and wherever the phraseology 

 used in these reports has seemed best adapted to express the idea 

 in mind, it has been used and without quotation marks. 



A general statement of the conditions under which this work has 

 been done will be of interest. The plant which has been available 

 has been a small one. Six houses described and illustrated on pages 

 15 — 18 were erected in 1893 and these houses together with an old 

 ice house which has been used for incubators, and a stock of in- 



