Feeding-Cane Molasses as a Constituent of Poultry Rations

IN A recent communication (Ott, Boucher, and Knandel, 1942) the performance of Single Comb White Leghorns was reported for the first 24 weeks of age on two experiments in which four all-mash rations varying in feeding-cane molasses content were fed in duplicate from 1 day to 72 weeks of age. The present paper is a report of the performance of these fowls during the laying periods in these experiments. Previous investigators have reported various results with laying hens fed rations containing cane molasses. Winter (1929), in a six-month trial starting with 240 Leghorn hens and a year trial starting with 60 Leghorn pullets, reported nearly equal feed intake and egg production, lower mortality, and higher water intake with rations containing 5, 10, or 15 percent molasses than with rations containing no molasses. In one 20-week test starting with 100 Leghorns, Maw (1933) noted nearly equal feed intake and change in . . .