24 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 280 



old at the start and 23 weeks old at the finish. Fifteen normal chicks 

 starting at 21 weeks and ending at 23 weeks were used for a normal 

 count. Determinations were made on the number of red blood cells, 

 white blood cells, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leuco- 

 cytes, mononuclear leucocytes, mast cells, and eosinophyles. 



The affected groups were higher in both red and white blood cells, 

 although not significantly so. The hemoglobin was higher in the af- 

 fected groups. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes were low in all groups 

 but highest in the affected group with symptoms. The mononuclear 

 leucocytes were high in both affected groups showing some cause for 

 their production to help fight the infection. Mast cells which originate 

 from the bone marrow were higher in the affected groups. The eosino- 

 phyles are low in the affected groups which is to be expected when 

 there is an increased number of white blood cells above normal, as 

 was the case of the diseased groups. {Purnell Fund) 



New Findings on Vitamin A for Chicks 



Research last year indicated that the demand for Vitamin A in- 

 creases as the growing chick approaches maturity. In further work by 

 A. E. Tepper, a group of 50 New Hampshire Red chicks were fed in- 

 creasing levels of Vitamin A through the medium of standardized cod- 

 liver oil. Little benefit was gained, however, over the common method 

 of supplying one per cent cod-liver oil in the ration throughout the 

 experimental period. The extra effort and cost expended for labor 

 is not warranted. 



In another comparison of feeding levels of one, two and three per 

 cent of cod-liver oil standardized at 2,000 Vitamin A units per gram, 

 the one per cent level was found to be most efficient and economical. 



Chicks deficient in Vitamin A at four weeks of age were given a 

 quantity of cod-liver oil equal to 16,000 units per chick. No mor- 

 tality occurred in this group after this feeding, opthalmia disappeared, 

 and weight gains were resumed at a normal rate. {Purnell Fund) 



Poultrymen Strive to Retain Breeding Reputation 



Desjjite their well-founded reputation for well-bred poultry. New 

 Hampshire poultrymen set another milestone along the road of better 

 breeding, forming a record of performance association in 1932. This 

 calls for official trapnesting of breeding birds to prove their ability to 

 transmit the quality of high production to future generations of lay- 

 ers. Six poultrymen have taken advantage of this inspection ser- 

 vice supervised by F. D. Reed. Of 1,555 birds entered by them in 

 the 1932-33 year,' 364 qualified for R. O. P. certificates, 182 meeting 

 the minimum requirement of at least 200 eggs a year, 77 producing 

 from 225 to 239 eggs, and 100 from 240 to 300 or more eggs. Five 

 birds merited two-year certificates. 



Certification work was also continued in 1932-33 by F. D. Reed. 

 This is a step following the accreditation of flocks free from pullorum 

 disease and consists of grading a group of birds into three classes^ — 

 breeders, layers, and culls. The latter are suitable only for market- 



