40 Revort or DeparrmMent or ANIMAL HUSBANDRY OF THE 
Most of the chicks were Leghorns. In general, growth was slow. 
The average gain in weight made per chick was 12.9 ounces for 
Lot IV, 11.5 ounces for Lot V, 4.6 ounces for Lot VI and 9.0 
ounces for Lot VII. During the first four weeks the average gains 
were respectively 7.1 ounces, 5.0 ounces, 1.9 ounces and 3.5 ounces. 
The dry matter in the food consumed for each pound gain in 
weight was on the average 4.4 pounds for Lot IV, 4.6 pounds for 
Lot V, 6.9 pounds for Lot VI and 4.1 pounds for Lot VII. Dur- 
ing the first four weeks the ratio was 2.8 pounds for Lot IV, 3.3 
pounds for Lot V, 6.0 pounds for Lot VI, and 3.7 pounds for 
Lot VII. 
The cost of food for each pound gain in weight was 7.4 cents 
for Lot IV, 9.0 cents for Lot V, 14.6 cents for Lot VI and 
6.4 cents for Lot VII. During the first four weeks these costs 
were 4.6 cents, 6.4 cents, 12.8 cents and 6.3 cents for each respec- 
tively. Allowance is made for any loss caused by accident 
obviously uninfluenced by feeding. The weight of any chick that 
died was accounted as loss in weight when estimating the food 
cost of growth made. 
COM MENTS. 
An unusually large number of chicks died during the experi- 
ment and a few were taken by crows. Although each lot con- 
tained chicks of five breeds and crosses, over 90 per ct. of those 
that died during the first two weeks, when most of the loss 
occurred, were of one breed (W. Wyandottes). This with other 
considerations, seemed to indicate that the excessive mortality 
was due chiefly to low vitality in certain stock and not so much 
to radical defects in all the rations. On the other hand some lack 
of vigor in the stock might more plainly evidence the relative 
healthfulness of different foods, although their absolute capa- 
bilities might not be fully shown. 
When the death of weaker chicks seems caused or hastened by 
an unusual ration the final net result is the better indication of its 
value, but when loss occurs through accident obviously unrelated 
to the food, average individual results for the different periods 
are the better guide. The general appearance of health and 
vigor, or the opposite, counts for much with the feeder though 
not always plainly indicated by the ordinary data collected. 
