From the information which the present investigation has thus far furnished, and because of the certainty that segregation can in no way be harmful, separation of the two sexes should be practiced, except in the breeding seasons. The cooperation of owners throughout the state is sought in this matter, and in our continued effort to eliminate infected breeding stock by the method followed in the past three years this added measure may and should have a far-reaching influence in speeding along the complete eradication of white diarrhea.

CONCLUSIONS.

Progressive infection in a flock of chickens is not confined to young chicks, but also takes place in adult fowls, particularly the females. This tendency to increased infection in mature breeding stock is, beyond all doubt, one of the chief obstacles to rapid and complete eradication of bacillary white diarrhea.

The agglutination test as conducted in the past three years is one of the most important instruments whereby this disease can be curbed and eventually stricken from the list of destructive poultry ailments.

The introduction of the organism of bacillary white diarrhea into the cloaca and oviduct of laying hens may readily lead to permanent ovarian infection and thus be an important means of spreading the disease in the adult stock. It has not been demonstrated as yet that the male plays the important rôle of transmitting the infection from infected to hitherto sound hens, but the circumstantial evidence is such that transmission through this agency can no longer be doubted. The probability of oviduct infection being brought about in any other way, as for example through infected litter, appears quite remote.

As a practical means of preventing the spread of B. pullorum infection from hen to hen, and thus making the disease as it affects adults stationary within the flock, males should not be allowed to run with the females except during the breeding season. The adoption of this policy can work no injury, and may contribute very much to the ultimate elimination of bacillary white diarrhea. A trial period of a year or two should suffice to enable us to determine the full value of the plan.

Agricultural Experiment Station

STORRS, CONNECTICUT

BULLETIN 102, MAY, 1919

EXPERIMENTS IN CALF FEEDING:

CORN SILAGE;

WHOLE MILK DILUTIONS.

G. C. WHITE

AND

J. A. KUELLING

C. L. BEACH, B. Agr., B. S., Pres. Conn. Agricultural College

Poultry Husbandman
Assistant

POULTRY HUSBANDRY

WM. F. KIRKPATRICK, B. Agr., B. E.
W. H. ALLEN, B. S.

CALF FEEDING EXPERIMENTS:
CORN SILAGE; WHOLE MILK DILUTIONS.

G. C. WHITE AND J. A. KUELLING.

INTRODUCTION.

There has been a steady decline in the number of dairy cattle in New England for more than a decade. This has been most marked in communities formerly producing butter, where there was a plentiful supply of skimmilk for calf feeding. The falling off in butter making, especially in the southern portion where the dense population daily consumes most of the available product, has resulted in a great decrease in the number of dairy stock raised. It has been considered too expensive to raise heifers for the maintenance of herds, and at last an acute situation has arisen due to the scarcity and extremely high prices of dairy cattle. After the outbreak of the war, more attention was given to calf raising as was shown by a survey in May, 1917 in which an increase for the year of 6.7% was found in the number of heifers between the ages of six months and the freshening period.

NEED OF EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE.

On account of the extent to which corn silage is found on farms, as well as its relative economy as a feed, there is a growing tendency to use it in raising calves and heifers. At the same time, because of little or no experimental evidence in print regarding its use for calves, there is nothing definite as to its value for this purpose. In recent years, a number of observers have endorsed it with a caution against its too early or liberal use. Otis2 states: "Corn Silage is also proving

1 Musser, K. B., White, G. C., McDonald, B. A., and Judkins, H. F., "Studies from the Survey on the Cost of Milk Production," Extension Bulletin No. 7, July, 1917, P. 17.

2 Otis, D. H., "The Dairy Calf at Meal Time," Wis. Exp. Station Bulletin No. 192, 1910.

an excellent roughage for calves. It is usually safe to give the calf all the roughage it will eat." Brainard and Davis make this statement: "Calves may be fed silage as soon as they are old enough to eat it. It is perhaps of greater importance that the silage be free from mold or decay when given to calves than when given to mature stock. They may be given at all times all the silage they will eat up clean; yearling calves will consume about 15 to 20 or more pounds per day. When supplemented with some leguminous hay, little if any grain will be required to keep them in a thrifty growing condition." Woll says: "Corn silage of good quality made from at least nearly mature corn and free from mold may be fed to advantage in small quantities, say about 2 pounds per day to calves that are old enough to eat it. Older calves may be fed 5 to 10 pounds with dry feed." Henry and Morrison' make similar statements concerning its use. Larsen and Putney recommend feeding lightly at first and up to six months of age three to five pounds per day. Hunziker and Caldwell' fed three groups of calves, containing ten calves per group. on rations in which corn silage was included. In a few cases, silage was given as early as the third week when the consumption was a trifle over 0.1 pound per day; but in general, silage was not eaten until they had reached about two months of age. The amount fed throughout was quite limited, averaging between 0.21 pound and 0.33 pound per head per day for six months. Silage was never fed to individuals at the rate of more than a pound a day and very little attention was given to it in the discussion. Since corn silage is available upon so many farms and is ever increasing in importance, it is necessary to know the amount that may safely be fed and at what age it should constitute a part of the calf ration.

8 Brainard, W K. and Davis, H. P.. "Feeding and Management of Dairy Calves and Young Dairy Stock," Farmers' Bul. No. 777. U. S. D. A., 1917.

4

Woll, F. W., "Productive Feeding of Farm Animals," 1915.

5 Henry, W. A. and Morrison, F. B., "Feeds and Feeding, 15th Edition," 1915.

6 Larsen, C. W. and Putney, F. S., "Dairy Cattle Feeding and Management," 1917.

7 Hunziker, O. F. and Caldwell, R. E., "Skim Milk and Milk Substitutes for Calf Feeding." Purdue University Exp. Sta. Bul. No. 193, 1916.