14 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 312 



computations covering all groups. The most efficient was Group 5 and 

 the least efficient was Group 3. 



Averages according to animal protein source show that the fish meal 

 groups consumed 3.44 pounds of feed per pound of gain. The mixture 

 groups followed with an average of 3.66 pounds, dried skimmilk with 3.73 

 pounds and meat scraps with 3.83 pounds of feed. Even though the 

 difference between groups is small it is worth noting that in the previous 

 test the group receiving 19 per cent meat scrap ration was the most 

 efficient. The work of this year indicates it to be the least efficient. 

 Certainly no definite recommendations may be stated in the face of such 

 contradictory evidence. 



Growing Period (12-23 Weeks) 



At the age of 12 weeks, representative groups of 20 pullets from each 

 of the 12 groups were selected for placement in laying cages. These 

 groups were held in growing batteries up to 16 weeks of age and then 

 transferred to cages. Group 11 was lacking in number of pullets and 

 consequently only 18 birds were available for use. Rations for all birds 

 were similar to those used during the previous period. 



As will be noted in Table III, the final weights per chick at 23 weeks 

 of age for each group were maintained at a somewhat similar relationship 

 as they existed at 12 weeks of age. It is interesting to note that the 

 weight differences between high and low protein groups that existed at 

 the end of the 12-week period have been narrowed considerably. The 

 groups receiving the lower protein sources show evidence of gradually 

 overcoming the lead established by the higher protein groups at 12 weeks 

 of age. It is of further interest to note that the greater the percentage 

 of dried skimmilk fed the lower was the average weight per bird. The 

 group receiving 19 per cent fish meal was leading in average weight per 

 pullet over all other groups with an average weight of 4.513 pounds. 



In a summarization of groups according to type of animal protein 

 source, we find the groups receiving fish meal averaged heaviest at 4.422 

 pounds per bird. The mixture, meat and dried skimmilk groups followed 

 with 4.258, 4.238 and 3.639 pounds per bird, respectively. 



Average feed consumption per bird over the second growth period 



Table IX. Relative production periods and age at first egg for all groups 



