12 



The University of New Hampshire [Bulletin 338 



Table 1. 



Moisture Content of Plot House and Poultry Pen Litters, by 

 monthly averages, 1938 - 39 



EFFECT OF LITTER MOISTURE ON PRODUCTION 

 AND HEALTH OF BIRDS 



Tables 4, 5, and 6 presents a management and production sum- 

 mary for the experimental pens used during the test. During the 

 first test period three different breeds of birds were used, but in the 

 two succeeding periods only New Hampshires were carried in the 

 experimental pens. 



There appears to be no relationship between the rate of tgg pro- 

 duction and the average moisture content of the litter (See Figure 6). 

 Litter treatment "A" was designed to produce a relatively poor litter 

 condition. It did just that and the moisture content of the pens so 

 managed was the highest of all. Those birds in the pens exceedingly 

 wet and otherwise of apparently "poor sanitation" laid just as well 

 as those in the drier pens. 



Litter treatment "C", designed to maintain the most optimum 

 condition of litter in the pen, was only slightly effective. The tables 



