74 EXPERIMENTAL WORK IN FEEDING 



METHOD OF PROCEDURE 



The general method of procedure in these feeding trials has been as 

 follows: Two or more lots of fowls were selected, some attention being 

 given to equalizing the lots as far as age, condition, etc., were concerned. 

 The different lots were then fed in various ways in accordance with the 

 plan of the experiment and records were kept of the performance, feed, con- 

 dition, mortality, etc. A fixed unit of time has not been used in all cases, 

 but usually the tests were carried through one year. At the end of the time 

 or as soon as convenient, the records were figured up, summarized, com- 

 parisons made, and an account of the experiment and such conclusion, as 

 could be drawn from it, was published. 



COMPARISON OF METHODS 



A large number of the feeding tests fall under this head. Comparisons 

 were made with a number of objects in view. For example, we find 

 comparisons in which the adaptability of methods of feeding, such as, 

 morning versus evening mash, were made to determine the best way to feed 

 under ordinary conditions and when the general condition of the flock was 

 taken into consideration. In many other cases, the comparisons while 

 concerned with health and vigor were made principally, for determining the 

 effects of the methods on egg yield. Other comparisons of methods have 

 been made for the purpose of determining the best system of feeding for 

 fattening, for growing young stock and for producing broilers. In obtain- 

 ing data along these lines, records were incidentally and in many cases 

 purposely kept showing the cost of feeding hens, the cost of producing 

 eggs and flesh, and the number of eggs laid by a hen under various 

 conditions. 



COMPARISON OF FEEDS 



In the feeding tests falling under this head, the first group may be 

 considered as that in which some one particular grain or feed stuff was 

 compared with some other one grain or feed stuff. We find for instance 

 wheat compared with corn, skim milk with meat scrap, clover with cabbage 

 and many others. We find also in this group, certain feeds tested for 

 their stimulating effect on egg yield, as salt, pepper, etc., or for their harm- 

 ful effect upon the health of the flock, as cottonseed meal. In fattening 

 fowls we find tallow used to determine its effect on weight and on the 

 appearance and finish of the fowls. 



We find also tests carried on in which certain combinations of feeds are 

 compared. The most common of such tests is the comparison of the 



