20 N. H. Agric. Experiment Station [Biil. 270 



that an increase in protein from 15 to 20 per cent results in heavier 

 chicks at 12 weeks of age with no greater mortality. 



Chickens on 15 per cent protein averaged 2.054 pounds apiece the 

 12th week and those on 20 per cent, 2.933 pounds. Each percentage 

 increase in protein gave a noticeable boost in weight. More feed was 

 consumed too by the higher-protein group, and it was used more 

 efficiently. 



A definite conclusion is that the 20-per-cent ration is mO'St efficient 

 and that one having a protein content of 17 per cent or less is not 

 SO desirable. 



Six groups of 50 chicks each were used each year in the experiment. 

 The ingredients consisted of yellow corn meal, wheat bran, white-fiour 

 middlings, ground oat groats, meat scraps, fish meal, dried skim milk, 

 alfalfa leaf meal, salt, and cod-liver oil and meal. {Purnell Fund) 



Soy-Bean Meal Stimulating But Less Efficient 



When substituted for meat scraps or fish meal in the New England 

 college-conference formula, soy-bean meal stimulates gro\\i:h in chicks 

 but is less efficient than the original ingredients. More feed is nec- 

 essary per pound of gain. Four lots of 50 New Hampshire Red chicks 

 were on test for 12 weeks in this investigation by T. B. Charles and 

 A. E. Tepper. 



No. 1 received the standard conference ration. 



No. 2 the same formula with the 50 pounds of meat scraps replaced 

 with soy-bean meal. 



No. 3 got the standard ration with the 25 pounds of fish meal 

 omitted and soy-bean meal introduced. 



No. 4 was given soy-bean meal in place of half the regular amount 

 of meat scraps. 



The three lots getting soy-bean meal consumed from 1.19 to 1.48 

 pounds more feed per chick than the lot on the standard ration. The 

 heaviest feed consumption was in Lot No. 3 and the next highest 

 in Pen No. 4. 



The conference ration also proved to be the most efficient, turning 

 out a pound of gain with each 3.75 pounds of feed. No. 4 was 

 least efficient, as 3.99 pounds of feed was required to produce a 

 pound of gain. 



In total gains, however, the regular formula turned out chicks aver- 

 aging only 2.478 pounds apiece at the age of 12 weeks, while the soy- 

 bean rations all yielded heavier birds. No. 3 producing a 2.776-pound 

 chicken. No. 2 a 2.72 pounder, and No. 4 a 2.666-pound average. The 

 gain in Pen No. 1 was 2.288 pounds per bird as compared with 2.686 

 in Pen No. 3. {State Fund) 



Vitamin A Best from Many Sources 



Vitamin A becomes increasingly important in the ration of chicks 

 a? they approach maturity. It can be supplied most effectively from 

 several sources such as yellow corn meal and alfalfa leaf meal rather 

 than from cod-liver oil alone. 



