POULTRY AS A SOURCE OF INCOME 



fore, if chicks are purchased, it will reduce the 

 item for stock from the amount of $1,500 given 

 above, which would represent the cost of partly 

 grown pullets. 



Assuming that the complete poultry plant 

 already stocked will cost $3,500, we must add 

 to the budget of the prospective poultryman 

 a sum for the purchase of a farm of from 5 acres 

 upward, including a residence. In most localities 

 a small tract with a modest house can be pur- 

 chased for about $4,000. If only the land is 

 purchased, that should be available at $200 an 

 acre as a subdivision of a larger tract. Assuming 

 that a house costing $3,000 will be suitable for 

 the operator and his family, the total outlay 

 will be in the neighborhood of $7,500. Experi- 

 enced poultrymen estimate that a modest poul- 

 try farm of the type above described can be put 

 into operation for an investment of $5 per bird. 

 If it is planned to begin with a smaller flock 

 than 1,500 individual layers, the same figures 

 can be applied in proportion to the number of 

 birds to be kept. In short, the poultry house 

 and equipment should be estimated on the basis 

 of not less than $1.50 per bird and the cost of the 

 farm, residence and stock will be in addition 

 to such a charge. The allowance of $1.50 per 

 bird provides only for simple housing facilities 

 for the flock. 



135 



