Nov., 1938] Vitamin A Requiremexts of Growing Chicks 15 



Apparently the reserve supply of vitamin A in the baby chick upon 

 hatching was materially reduced during the first two weeks of life. Fol- 

 lowing this period five weeks were used to secure from the 1% cod liver 

 oil ration enough vitamin A to replenish the reserve supply and to con- 

 tinue gro^Hh with more normal gains. By the actions of this group there 

 is indicated a method of determining vitamin A transfer from the breeder 

 to the baby chick based on livability and gro\\i:h. 



Group 8, fed the basal ration plus %% sardine oil, showed slightly less 

 weight gains than did the cod liver oil groups. The final average weight 

 per chick at the end of the twelve-week period was 2.097 pounds as com- 

 pared with the 1% cod liver oil fed group of 2.397 pounds. At no time 

 during the course of the experiment were there any symptoms of a vita- 

 min A deficiency. 



In the analysis of Table VII there is indicated a direct relationship be- 

 tween Groups 2, 3, and 4 in both total feed consumption and in feed con- 

 sumption per pound of gain. The group receiving 3% cod liver oil plus 

 the basal ration was more efficient in feed consumption as evidenced by 

 gain in weight than were the lower cod liver oil fed groups. The order 

 of efficiency is approximately the same as that evidenced in p^e^^ous 

 years' tests. The check group receiving the New England College Con- 

 ference ration was the most efficient with but 3.6 pounds of feed per pound 

 gain up to twelve weeks of age. 



EXPERIMENT C, TABLE VIII. Mortality 



It is to be noted in Table VIII that Group 4, receiving the high level 

 of cod liver oil (3%) had a very high mortality. Previous years' tests 

 have indicated that too high content of cod liver oil in feed affects livabil- 

 ity of chicks adversely. 



Experiment D— 1934-35 



Procedure 



To determine the relative efficiency of California sardine oil and cod 

 liver oil from the standpoint of vitamin A supply, a feeding test using 

 New Hampshire Red chicks was started March 7, 1935. 



Six groups of thirty chicks each were raised in batteries over an ex- 

 perimental period of twelve weeks. The basal ration consisting of 140 

 pounds wheat bran, 140 pounds ground oats, and 45 pounds meat scraps 

 was fed to five groups plus a specified amount of cod liver oil or sardine 

 oil. The basal ration, which is deficient in vitamin A, was thus fortified 

 with varying amounts of this vitamin from the two fish oil sources. 



