Comparative data on farms with a grain room on each floor, syste- 

 matically located, where pens were serviced by carrier show that on one 

 farm of over 10,000 layers only 1.3 man minutes were required daily per 

 100 birds for feeding. This farm fed an all-mash ration. Several farms with 

 an aggregate of over 22,000 layers that fed combinations of mash and scratch 

 and/or pellets required 2.6 man minutes daily per 100 birds. This is illus- 

 trative of the possibilities of increased labor efficiency through simplifica- 

 tion of the feeding program, but in no sense a judgement on the relative 

 output per bird which might be obtained. With automatic feeders, some 

 operators continue to hand feed scratch or pellets; others utilize attachments 

 in the automatic system for supplying these supplementary items to the 

 flock. In either case, some decrease in operator's time and/or operating time 

 for equipment is likely as the program is simplified. 



Variation in the efficiency of different individuals is rather strikingly 

 illustrated by two farms. Both had a number of small grain rooms, con- 

 veniently located to minimize travel distance for the feeder. On one farm 

 with over 2,000 layers, feed was carried into pens in pails and feeding re- 

 quired 2.7 man minutes daily per 100 layers. On the other, with over 10.000 

 layers, workers carried 100-pound bags and filled hoppers directly from 

 these; here, only 1.4 man minutes daily were required per 100 layers. Al- 

 though part of the difference can be attributed to the respective unit sizes, 

 most of the remaining difference can be explained by the increased travel 

 time in carrying pails as against 100-pound bags and to the elimination of 

 emptying bags into bins or pails. Achievement of feeding efficiency by such 

 means is dependent upon the ability and willingness of farm workers to 

 undertake the rather arduous physical eft'ort required. Some degree of 

 mechanization is probably a more acceptable solution on most farms. 



The farm where feeding took 1.4 man minutes daily per 100 layers is 

 also illustrative of a considerable amount of chore work cheaply performed 

 by the feed company in making grain deliveries. Grain had to be delivered 

 to almost 20 separate places, almost half of which required throwing 100- 

 pound bags up to the second story in unloading. This obviously made it 

 convenient for the feeder, but a difficult plant for the dealer to service. In 

 contrast to this plant, another farm with 9,000 birds housed in one building 

 had 3 grain rooms all accessible by ramps. Ramps are at times hazardous, 

 and as a result some feed companies are cautious about them. However, if 

 they are properly designed, this need not be a problem. 



Due to the varying nature of existing farm facilities, as well as to the 

 present "competitive situation" (prevailing dealer policies), the feed dealer 

 must be somewhat flexible as regards making grain deliveries. Thus, while 

 the individual farm operator would benefit from having deluxe service in 

 placing his grain precisely where he wants it, that benefit is put at the ex- 

 pense of other operators whose plants require less of such servicing. Such 

 situations, whether by circumstances or design, certainly contribute to 

 maintaining an excessive cost of distribution. 



'o 



An Appraisal of Several Feeding Arrangements. 



Basically, feeding arrangements can be grouped under four categories: 



(1) Feed carried to pens and hoppers by hand. 



(2) Feed available in pens, but carried to hoppers by hand. 



(3) Feed brought to pens by carrier, hoppers filled by hand or gravity. 



(4) Automatic feeders. 



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