746 



Food in Relation to Egg Production. 



[Nov., 



When we approach feeding costs in relation to egg production 

 'from the point of view of high flock average, we have the figures 

 extending over three years of The Harper Adams College Laying 

 Trials, which are summarised on the accompanying diagram. 

 Before proceeding to deal with the costs in detail, it might be as 

 well to answer one or two criticisms that have been urged against 

 them. 



In the first place it is claimed that the feeding cost per bird 

 is unduly high. This is not denied, but the point of view from 

 which these figures should be approached, must bo that of poultry 

 keepers and not the wholesale millers. The prices given month 

 by month do not represent so much the actual price paid for the 

 food, as the price at which small poultry keepers locally were 

 buying the foods used during the same period. The difference 

 between the two levels of prices when worked out to cost per 

 bird, would only be a fraction of a farthing, bat expressed as 

 price per ton is a much more considerable item. 



It has also been stated that the feeding costs are high because 

 the foods used were unduly expensive and that cheaper substitutes 

 could have been found. The main purpose of the Laying Trials, 

 however, is to get the maximum output in a definite period, a 

 very different problem to getting the maximum output on the 

 minimum cost. To let any outside consideration affect the 

 question of immediate output, would be foreign to the purpose 

 of the trials. The birds have to demonstrate their ability as 

 producers between 1st November and 3rd October of the 

 following year, and in fairness to the breeder concerned no ques- 

 tion of experiments with feeding ought to be considered. 



The accompanying diagram gives the average feeding cost and 

 the average output per bird during the last two years' trials and 

 their relation can be seen at a glance. 



This chart of comparative values is interesting as showing that 

 there is a relation between feeding costs and the value of e^gs 

 produced. A sharp rise in both values is experienced from the 

 beginning of November until early in January, after which there 

 is a continuous drop until low values are reached in the e°rlv 

 spring and summer, and the curves do not recover, until 

 November again comes along. 



But this must not be pushed too far. Although this factor 

 has become a regular feature since these feeding costs were first 

 compiled three years ago, it may be due to the nature of the trials. 

 Although the value of food increased during this period, the 

 actual weight consumed was normal. It is obvious that the rise 



