April. 1932 j 



Agricultural Research in N. H. 



25 



Added Protein Boosts Gains 



Rations with a protein content of 17 to 20 per cent, produced 

 greater gains in battery-brooded chicks than those with only 15 or 16 

 per cent, of protein. Six groups of approximately 60 chicks each were 

 used in this investigation, which continued over a 12-weeks' period. 

 All the chicks in the four groups getting from 17 to 20 per cent, pro- 

 tein weighed over two pounds apiece at the close, with the 20 per cent, 

 group leading in weight. The chicks getting less than 17 per cent, 

 protein averaged under two pounds. A conclusion is that protein 

 levels for battery brooding of chicks appear to be higher than for floor 

 brooding as commonly used. A. E. Tepper, H. 0. Stuart, T. B. Charles. 

 (P urn ell Fund) 



Pullorum Disease Testing 



With a total of 171,366 tests made for pullorum disease in poultry 

 during the 1930-31 season, an increase of approximately 21,000 tests 

 was recorded over the previous year. The results of the testing are 

 reported by C. A. Bottorff as follows: 



Kind of Flocks 



Accredited, 



100% Free, 



Part 100% Free, 



Part 100% Test with Reactors, 



100% Test with Reactors, 



TOTALS, 



(Miscellaneous Income) 



Observing Spread of Pullorum Disease 



To observe the transmission or spread of pullorum disease, 50 non- 

 reacting birds from the University poultry farm were ranged and 

 housed with 12 reacting birds that came from a badly infected source. 

 At the end of the three months four per cent, of the original non- 

 infected birds had contracted the disease and 12 per cent, of them in 

 11 months. This shows that the rate of transmission of pullorum 

 disease is slow in semi-mature and adult stock. C. A. Bottorff. (Purnell 

 Fund) 



Eradicating Pullorum Disease 



Two flocks totaling about 1,500 birds were used by C. A. Bottorff 

 to conduct tests for the eradication of pullorum disease. Present con- 

 clusions are that while early pullet testing will remove a large per- 

 centage of the reactors in a highly infected flock, all the birds must be 

 laying before the infection can be completely eradicated by the ag- 

 glutination test. The use of formaldehyde gas is recommended for 

 disinfecting incubators to reduce the spread of the disease. 



One of the flocks selected for the studies had a very high mortality 

 record for its hatches. Before any testing was done on it, two lots of 



