May, 1939] Protein Requirements of Chickens 15 



varied between groups from a low of 12.905 pounds to a high of 16.751 

 pounds. This difference of less than four pounds compares quite 

 favorably with the previous year's work. 



The number of pounds of feed required to produce one pound of gain 

 during this growth period varied from 7.78 pounds in the 15 per cent 

 meat scrap group to 10.83 pounds in the 17 per cent mixture group. 

 Generally, the groups receiving the lower protein percentages were the 

 most efficient in feed utilization. 



During the 17th week two pullets from Group 7 and two pullets from 

 Group 10 died. Autopsj' of these four birds by the poultry pathology 

 laboratory revealed that all birds had very small, undeveloped abdominal 

 organs. Lack of development of these organs apparently lessened the 

 birds' ability to utilize available food, resulting in emaciation and 

 eventual death. No definite disease conditions were in evidence. 



From the standpoint of age at first egg, Table X shows that the earliest 

 production started at 137 days of age by one individual in Group 12. 

 At the age of 144 days individuals from all three fish meal groups and 

 from the 19 per cent meat scrap group had started production. At the 

 age of 161 days all groups showed production to some extent with the 

 fish meal groups leading all others with a total production of 142 eggs. 

 The milk, meat and mixture groups followed with 63, 51, and 48 eggs, 

 respectively. Percentage protein in ration did not significantly influence 

 age at first egg. This is in agreement with Winter, Dakan and Bayes^** 

 who state, ''There is no correlation between the level of protein intake 

 and the age at which the first egg is produced." 



Production Period (24-70 Weeks) 



The conditions of management of birds during the production period 

 were similar to those of Test I except that individual bird feed con- 

 sumption records were not maintained. The figures presented are group 

 averages. At the start of this period the groups receiving fish meal had 



Table X. Iron, manganese, copper and lactose content in terms of dry skimmilk 

 as determined by analysis of ingredients;* Test II 



* Analysis by American Dr>' Milk Institute, Inc. 



