238 THE BEGINNER IN POULTRY 



says that it is easy to get 2OO-egg-average layers on this 

 feed, look at this presumptive cost. It comes out in a 

 fraction, and you don't like fractions of a cent any 

 better than I do ; we will say, then, that it is certainly 

 less than five cents a dozen this estimated cost of 

 producing eggs. Now, when you figure out on paper 

 the cost or the profits of your poultry, are you going 

 to figure on a basis of five cents, or of eighteen cents a 

 dozen ? And, if you figure on five cents a dozen, are 

 you going to make good ? There are those who testify 

 that it can be done ; they know it, they say, because 

 they do it. But, let me warn you that the average pro- 

 ducer's cost for eggs setting aside those raised on the 

 farm, which it has been difficult to get any kind of 

 figures on comes nearer eighteen than three ! Is it not 

 pertinent to ask, " Why ? " Is it not more than perti- 

 nent for you to consider gravely which lot of poultry 

 raisers you will foregather with ? 



The Department of Cooperation of the Ohio Experi- 

 ment Station is reported early in 1912 as having sent out 

 a Bulletin on this very matter, a " preliminary," but cov- 

 ering test work for two years or more, among farmers 

 and others. These men returned reports, but received 

 no advice as to how to handle their flocks. Time occu- 

 pied in handling was computed with care, and figured on 

 the basis of the value of a man's time. Thirty-six coun- 

 ties were represented, ten pure breeds and four mixed 

 flocks. Eighteen were farm flocks, averaging 121 hens 

 and 83 eggs per bird. The feed cost of these farm flocks 

 averaged 59 cents, or nearly eight and one half cents per 

 dozen ; but the lowest report was 5 cents and the highest 

 about 1 1 cents per dozen. The labor cost was three cents 



