IG X. IT. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 312 



the heaviest average weight and were followed in order by the mixture, 

 meat scrap and dried skimmilk groups. The 19 per cent fish meal group 

 averaged the heaviest of all groups and the 19 per cent dried skimmilk 

 fed group averaged the lightest in weight. The very same order of 

 weight classifications was held by these several groups at the end of the 

 experimental period. Those groups receiving the fish meal protein 

 supplement weighed on the average 5.399 pounds per bird. They were 

 followed in order by the protein mixture, meat scraps and dried skimmilk 

 groups weighing 5.247, 5.164 and 4.313 pounds per bird, respectively. 

 Generally, those groups fed the higher percentage protein maintained 

 greater weight than the lower protein groups. The dried skimmilk fed 

 groups were just the reverse, however. The less milk fed the greater was 

 the weight. 



In a consideration of feed consumption during the production period 

 considerable weekly variation occurred among groups. The range in 

 total feed consumed per bird by groups was from 71.612 pounds in the 

 19 per cent dried skimmilk group to 85.278 pounds for the 19 per cent 

 fish meal group. There appeared to be a very close relationship between 

 body weight and feed consumed. 



Table VII presents a cost comparison of the different protein rations as 

 used in the two tests. The last column, showing the feed cost to produce 

 one dozen eggs, gives some very pertinent information concerning the 

 relative values of these animal protein concentrates as used in this 

 experimental procedure. The reader will quickly notice that the most 

 efficient protein source from this analysis was fish meal with a feed cost 

 per dozen eggs produced of 13.5 to 16.9 cents. The mixture, meat scrap 

 and dried skimmilk protein sources followed in order. 



The mortality which occurred during the production period is shown 

 in Table VI. A total of 39 birds died during the period, constituting a 

 loss of 16.3 per cent. Of this total mortality 23.1 per cent of the cases 

 were ruptured egg yolk, 15.4 per cent indigestion, and 10.2 per cent neph- 

 ritis. Other deaths were the results of cage injury, coccidiosis, peri- 

 tonitis, anemia, gout, ruptured liver, mptured spleen, ulcerated gizzard 

 and leukemia. By referring to the mortality discussion in Test I the 

 reader will notice that the greatest loss on both tests was occasioned by 

 ruptured egg yolk and indigestion. Mortality attributable to the single 

 animal protein fed groujis varied between tests. For tiiis reason no definite 

 statements concerning the mortality preventative or causative action of 

 these protein sources can be given. 



The egg production summary as shown in Table VII demonstrates that 

 those groups fed the fish meal protein supplement had a greater average 

 j)roduction per bird than any of the other groups. They were followed 

 in order by the meat scrap, mixture and dried skimmilk fed groups. 

 There was some variation among groups as to the average number of 

 days to first egg, but there was no definite relationship between per- 

 centage protein fed and date of first egg. The average number of days 

 elapsing previous to the production of the first egg was 165.3. 175.3, 

 175.6, and 182.0 for the fish meal, mixture, meat scrap and dried skimmilk 

 fed birds. 



