34 POULTRY FARMING 



From a comparison of the two tables it will readily be seen that 

 the quality of the average hen is increasing, especially as regards 

 number of eggs. This is due undoubtedly to better feeding and 

 more careful and systematic })rceding. 



When it is necessary to estimate the yearly profit from a hen, 

 a cost of $1.50 to $2.50 for feed and a return of $1.00 to $3.00 over 

 cost of feed are pretty safe figiu-es to rely on, this variation de- 

 pending upon economic conditions. It must be understood that it 

 will take a well-managed plant to equal this. At the same time it 

 should not be forgotton that results far superior to the above are 

 very conmion on modern plants when nuich thought and energy are 

 thrown into the work. A number of different plants have been 

 closelj^ studied by the author, in various parts of the country, 

 which have turned out yearly profits of from 10 to 27 per cent 

 on the investment. The largest percentage of profit was on mod- 

 erately small plants of from 200 to 400 birds. The 10 per cent 

 profit was on a plant with a laying capacity of over 2,000. This 

 illustrates a very common fact: Usually as the plant becomes 

 larger and more birds are kept, the owner or manager is less able 

 to look after the necessary details; as these details are left to others, 

 there is too apt to be a corresponding loss. This is not figured 

 when making calculations of profits on paper. 



Here a word of warning will not be out of place: Beware of 

 the poultry advertiser, or " poultry system," which claims im- 

 mense profits per bird per year. These are constantly seen in 

 poultry papers, with special advertisements claiming from $5.00 

 to $8.00 profit. It is well for the prospective investor to weigh 

 the statements carefully and if possible obtain the advice of an 

 expert before investing heavily in such " systems." The adver- 

 tiser may be doing all that he claims and be acting in good 

 faith, yet many of the systems would be an utter failure in in- 

 experienced hands. In this connection it should be remembered 

 that profits which are derived from the various branches of the 

 business vary greatly. It is possible for the breeder of high-class 

 exhibition birds to make a large income from a few birds; this is 

 only after years of breeding and the winning of many high prizes 

 at poultry shows. 



Importance of Knowing Actual Profits. — On the average 

 poultry farm few records are kept, and the exact income and 

 profit resulting from the efforts of the poultryman are too often 

 nothing but guesswork. In such cases the poultryman himself is 



