PEED COST OP EGG PRODUCTION. 
27 
in the early-hatched (Pens 1, 2, and 3). Spring is the period of 
greatest total production. Pen 4 (Leghorns) shows considerably less 
production during the fall and early winter of their second laying 
year than was the case with the general-purpose pens, especially 
Pens 5 and 6, started at the same time as Pen 4. Pens 7 and 8 
(Leghorns) also show a slightly decreased production during their 
second winter period, although not as great a decrease as in Pen 4. 
This difference is also seen in the comparative feed cost of the eggs, 
shown in Table 7. 
The effect of snow on the ground in lowering the egg yield during 
their first winter was noticeable in Pen 9, which did not receive any 
beef scrap. However, the egg yield the second winter in this pen 
compares favorably with that of Pens 1, 2, and 3 during their second 
winter. The lack of beef scrap as affecting egg production is dis- 
cussed more in detail on page 11. The weather during February, 
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20 
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Fig. 3. — Feed cost and value of eggs per dozen in Pen 8.) Last two periods of second year are omit- 
ted, as hens had stopped laying.) 
1914, was quite mild with practically no snow, while March was cold 
with considerable snow. Lack of beef scrap also lowered the pro- 
duction throughout the entire year. None of the other differences in 
the rations appeared to affect the distribution of egg production 
materially. 
FEED COST OF EGGS. 
The feed cost of a dozen eggs for periods of four weeks each through- 
out the three years of these experiments is shown in Tables 7, 7a, and 
7b. Prices of individual grains in 1917 are from 20 to 100 per cent 
higher than the prices used in this bulletin. Present prices of grain 
should be compared to those quoted on page 6 in arriving at the 
present feed cost of producing eggs. This cost is directly propor- 
tional to the egg yield as given in Tables 6, 6a, and 6b. Eggs are 
produced at the lowest cost in the spring and at the highest cost in 
the fall and early winter. This high cost in the fall and winter 
increases very materially with the age of the fowls. Figure 3 shows 
