724 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. xxin, No. 9 
Test No. 18.—Buff Plymouth Rock hen, leg band No. 30, weight 5.9 pounds. 
8.30 a. m. Fed 8 gm. corn meal mixed with methylene blue water. 
9.00 a. m. First excreta were voided; only very slight traces of methylene blue 
could be detected. 
4.30 p. m. Second evacuation; excreta blue. 
The first passage was in 30 minutes and indicated that if food is given on any empty 
crop and mixed with methylene blue slight staining of the food in the cloaca 
may occur in that space of time. The reaction was constipation followed by 
looseness of the bowels, as with the gentian trials. At the end of 72 horns no 
trace of the methylene blue could be detected. 
Test No. 19. —Buff Plymouth Rock hen, leg band No. 32, weight 5.7 pounds. 
8.30 a. m. Fed 30 gm. com meal mixed with methylene blue water. 
11.40 a. m. First excreta were passed; excreta blue 
8.30 a. m. Fourth day. After 72 hours excreta normal. 
The first indication was at 3 hours and 10 minutes. There was again evidence of 
irritation. The hen was in laying condition, having laid two eggs during the 
trial. 
Test No. 20. —Buff Plymouth Rock hen, leg band No. 34, weight 6.1 pounds. 
8.30 a. m. Fed 31 gm. com meal mixed with methylene blue water. 
8.30 a. m. Fourth day. After 72 horns excreta normal. 
Indicator showed food passed entire digestive tract in 3 hours and 30 minutes. 
Hen was in laying condition. Methylene blue caused irritation. 
Test No. 21.—Buff Plymouth Rock hen, leg band No. 36, weight 6.3 pounds. 
7 a. m. Fed 7 cc. methylene blue water mixed with com meal. 
7.30 a. m. Second day. First evacuation; excreta blue. 
7.30 a. m. Third day. After 48 hours all blue had disappeared. 
This bird, was not in laying condition. The first effect was that of constipation, 
the first evacuation being 23 hours after the test meal was given. 
Test No. 22.—White Plymouth Rock hen, leg band No. 115, weight 6.5 pounds. 
7 a. m. Fed 20 gm. com meal mixed with lampblack. 
10.20 a. m. First excreta voided; excreta black. 
7a. m. Fourth day. After 72 hours excreta normal. 
This hen was in laying condition, laying an egg on each of the three days of the 
test. The food, as indicated by the lampblack, passed the entire length of 
the digestive tract in 3 hours and 20 minutes. 
Test No. 23.—White Plymouth Rock hen, leg band No. 65, weight 5.8 pounds. 
7 a. m. Fed 20 gm. com meal in which was incorporated lampblack. 
12.20 p. m. First excreta voided; excreta black. 
7 a. m. Fourth day. After 72 horns excreta normal. 
The first colored excreta were passed in 5 hours and 20 minutes. The hen was 
in laying condition, laying each day of the test. 
Test No. 24.—White Plymouth Rock hen, leg band No. 100, weight 6.3 pounds. 
7 a. m. Fea 20 gm. com meal mixed with lampblack. 
2 p. m. First excreta passed; excreta black. 
7a. m. Fourth day. Excreta normal. 
The first excreta were voided in 7 hours. This hen was broody. Broody hens 
apparently do not have as many evacuations as other hens and the quantity 
evacuated is greater, as indicated by this hen. 
Test No. 25. —Partridge Plymouth Rock hen, leg band No. 112, weight 5.3 pounds. 
7 a. m. Fed 20 gm. com meal in which was incorporated lampblack. 
1.20 p. m. First excreta voided; excreta black. 
7 a. m. Fourth day. After 72 horns excreta normal. 
The first excreta indicating lampblack was voided in 6 hours and 20 minutes. 
DISCUSSION 
Of the two White Plymouth Rock hens not in laying condition, one 
passed wheat middlings in 6 hours and the other in 10 hours, or an 
average of 8 hours. 
In the test with one Single Comb White Leghorn, in laying condition, 
the wheat middlings passed through the intestinal tract in 3^ hours. 
Of the three Buff Plymouth Rock hens, in laying condition, two passed 
wheat middlings in 3 hours and the third in 3 hours and 5 minutes. Of 
the two White Plymouth Rock hens laying during the tests, com meal 
passed through the digestive tract of one in 3 hours and 20 minutes 
