8 X. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 312 



extent between groups, all of which showed some production except for 

 the dried skimniilk groups. The latter were somewhat slower in sexual 

 maturity than were the other groups. Other than this, protein per- 

 centage of ration or kind of protein did not significantly influence date 

 of sexual maturity. 



Production Period (24-70 Weeks) 



The same groups of pullets previously mentioned were continued in the 

 laying cages up to 70 weeks of age. Egg production, egg weight, feed 

 consumption, weight and mortality records were maintained for com- 

 parative studies. Xn change in management or feed occurred during this 

 period. 



The increase in weight by group averages was quite irregular during 

 the production period. Xot one group showed a steady increase in 

 weight by weeks, all being subject to occasional losses. Group 6 main- 

 tained its lead over all others as in the gro\\i:h period, averaging at the 

 end of the 70-week period 5.766 pounds. The lowest in weight at the 

 end of this period was Group 8 with an average weight of but 4.513 

 pounds. 



The total feed consumed per bird during the production period varied 

 from a high of 90.734 pounds in Group 6 to 69.347 pounds in Group 3. 

 The average \\eekly feed consumption per bird varied between the same 

 groups with, a high of 1.924 pounds in Group 6 and 1.478 pounds in 

 Group 3, the lowest. The groups having the greater feed consumption 

 also produced the greater number of eggs. 



As noted in Table IV, there is no relationship between percentage pro- 

 tein content and total feed consumed. There appears to be considerable 

 variation among groups. Those receiving the variable amounts of fish 



Table Ill-d. Summary ,of weight records in pounds per bird by stated 

 weekly periods for protein mixture groups 



