is inadvisable to carry feed longer than two weeks on the farm, a farm with 

 1,000 layers might receive bulk delivery. If one month is a feasible holding 

 period, a farm with 500 layers could be so serviced. 



A second consideration relating to minimum delivery size is the number 

 of separate feeds used. For example, under conditions where the feed dealer 

 insists on a minimum delivery of two tons, and feels it is inadvisable to 

 carry feed longer than two weeks on the farm, a farm with 1,000 layers, 

 and feeding an all-mash ration, might receive bulk delivery. On the other 

 hand, with the two-ton two-weeks' policy and a mash-scratch ration, 2,000 

 layers might be the minimum unit serviced (Table 2). 



The adoption of less frequent delivery of feed, whether bagged or bulk, 

 would involve some adjustments relative to scheduling payments, both by 

 the farmer and the dealer. 



Feed consumption per animal unit varies with body size, level of pro- 

 duction, or age. Leghorns vs. heavy breeds, or Jerseys vs. Holsteins are 

 examples of differences in consumption due to body size. Table 2 contains 

 estimates of consumption for laying hens of heavy breeds laying 30, 50, 

 or 70 per cent. Similar variations could be shown for milk cows of compar- 

 able size, but producing at different rates. The effect of age of birds on feed 

 consumption is also shown in Table 2, where estimates are expressed in 

 terms of the number of birds, according to age, which would consume two 

 tons of feed over the indicated periods. 



In Table 3, the data show the tons of feed consumed by chickens, ac- 

 cording to age, for several sizes of flock on both a weekly and cumulative 

 basis. This table is useful in illustrating a particular problem which may 

 arise in considering whether or not to extend bulk feed service to meat 

 chicken flocks or birds being grown for laying flock replacement. If a dealer 

 can justify infrequent delivery for the first few weeks, or preferably, service 

 with bagged feed, the minimum number of growing chickens needed to jus- 

 tify bulk-feed service is rather low after that period. In practice, this ad- 

 justment on growing stock might involve the following: 



(a) On farms where there is a laying flock: 



(1) Bulk feed for layers. 



(2) Bagged feed for replacements carried on side racks of bulk 



truck for a few weeks. 



(3) Bulk feed for replacements after a few weeks. 



(b) On farms where meat production predominates: 



(1) Bagged feed for a few weeks out of the nearest store, and 

 worked into regular routes. 



(2) Bulk feed after a few weeks. 



Accessibility of the Farm Storage. 



Inaccessibility may preclude some farms from consideration for bulk 

 feed delivery. Weight limits, width, overhead clearance, and seasonal vari- 

 ations in road and driveway conditions, as well as maneuvering room, need 

 to be taken into account. 



The location of better agricultural lands and/or farms has apparently 

 been given only minor consideration in the building of improved roads. 



