CHAPTER XXXIV 



THE BUSINESS OF POULTRY FARMING 



AGRICULTURE is as much a business as any manufacturing 

 or trade occupation, and if poultry raising is to succeed, 

 it should be conducted on the same principles as any other 

 business enterprise. This means that the poultryman should 

 always know j ust what his flock is doing. The best results can 

 be obtained only when records are kept of all individual hens 

 and of the total produce. These records should show the 

 actual cost of operation, also the income or money received. 

 Financial success in poultry keeping depends, not alone on 

 the abundant production of poultry and eggs, but on the 

 ability to secure these products at the lowest cost. Once 

 produced, the profits of the business depend upon the ability 

 of the poultryman to dispose of his products at the greatest 

 advance over the cost of production. 



RECORDS 



The keeping of simple yet accurate accounts is the foun- 

 dation of business success. Such records should serve as a 

 guide in future seasons. They indicate to the poultryman in 

 what ways he was successful and in what unsuccessful. 

 By carefully referring to his records he can each year im- 

 prove on the preceding one, and can duplicate the conditions 

 which proved satisfactory in previous years. The keeping 

 of records prevents any guesswork. A small diary, with a 

 page allotted to each day, filled out regularly and carefully, 

 serves as a complete and interesting record of all operations 

 on the plant during the time it is kept. Make the records as 

 simple as possible, and have them handy. A little book of 

 a size that will fit in the pocket is probably the best for small 

 flocks. Large sheets and index cards are not necessary unless 

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