The Use of a Commercial Animal Protein Factor Supplement in a Hatching Ration

Vitamin B12 has been recognized as an important dietary factor for hatchability. However, the extent to which commercial animal protein factor (APF) supplements can support hatchability has not been so clearly established (Olcese et al., 1949; Lindstrom et al., 1949; Carver and McGinnis, 1950). The hatchability data reported herein were obtained from 3 groups of New Hampshire pullets maintained from one day old to 10 months on wire floors. During this period each group received a diet which remained similar with respect to APF supplement. The history of these 3 groups of birds to 20 weeks of age has already been reported by Hill and Branion (1950). From 20 weeks until the termination of the experiment the basal portion of the diets was as follows, per 100 lbs: ground yellow corn 37.0, ground oats 12.5, rolled oat groats 7.0, ground barley 6.0, dehydrated alfalfa meal 3.0, ground wheat 18.0, soybean . . .