1905.] 



Growth of Chickens. 



267 



Table VI. indicates that the average gain in weight in the 

 first four weeks was 5*6 oz., in the second four weeks 10 oz., 

 and in the final five weeks, inclusive of the bird which died 

 on June 16th, i8*o oz. The average cost per bird in the 

 first four weeks was i'4d., in the second four weeks 2d., 

 and in the final five weeks, inclusive of grit for the entire period, 

 3'2d. It will be seen that the greatest growth was in the hot 

 and dry week ending May 31st, and the next greatest in the 

 cooler and moister week ending June 21st; whilst the least 

 average growth, after the first week, was in the week ending 

 May 17th, when cooler conditions prevailed. 



The weight of thirty birds, twenty-four hours old, was 

 2 lb. 6 oz. At the close of the experiment, twenty-nine birds, 

 thirteen weeks old, weighed 63 lb. 2 oz., showing an average 

 gain in weight of 2 lb. I J oz. 



Variations in Growth. — The birds varied in weight on July 

 5th from 24 oz. to 39 oz., as follows : — One weighed 24 oz. ; 

 one, 27 oz. ; three, 29 oz. each ; one, 30 oz. ; three, 31 oz. each ; 

 three, 32 oz. ; four, 33 oz. ; two, 34 oz. ; two, 35 oz. ; one, 36 oz. ; 

 five, 37 oz. each ; one, 38 oz. ; two, 39 oz. each. 



In this case it was found that 29 birds averaged nearly 

 2 lb. 3 oz. The 18 cockerels averaged 2 lb. 3 oz., and the 

 11 pullets averaged 1 lb. 13 oz. The greatest gain was 2 lb. 

 6 oz., and the least gain 1 lb. 7 oz. 



In this experiment the cockerels exceeded the average by 

 0"38 oz., whereas the pullets fell below the average by 3*83 oz. 

 Buff Orpingtons were not included in the experiments of 1904. 



Experiment No. 4.— Cross-Breds. 

 The following tables give the particulars of growth, &c, 

 as in Nos. 1 to 3. This lot of thirty birds consisted of 

 fifteen Houdan-Buff Orpingtons and fifteen Indian Game-Buff 

 Orpingtons. 



From Table IX. it is found that the cross-breds did not grow 

 nearly so fast as either of the pure-breds, but reference to 

 Table VIII. will show that there was an equal reduction in 

 quantity and cost of food consumed. The average gain in the 

 first four weeks was 4*3 oz., in the second four weeks 10*2 oz., 

 and in the final five weeks 13*07 oz. ; and the average cost 

 per bird in the first four weeks was 0'8d., in the second 



