Summary 



Records from 144 Massachusetts poultrymen in 1926 and 134 in 1927 

 were tlie basis for this study of poultry profits. 



Labor return per bird increased about 35 cents for each increase of 

 one dozen eggs in the average production per bird. Average egg 

 production per bird was the most important factor influencing profits 

 per bird. 



Labor return per bird increased 28 cents in 1926 and 35 cents in 1927 

 for each increase of one dollar in receipts other than from market 

 eggs. Sucli receipts included those from hatching eggs, baby chicks, 

 broilers, roasters, and so forth. These supplementary lines con- 

 tribute to profitable poultry keeping. 



When the number of birds in the flock was reduced after November 

 1 so that the plant was operating below full capacity, labor return 

 per bird decreased about 36 cents with each ten per cent reduction 

 in number of birds. 



A five cent difference in average price received for eggs was related 

 to a difference in labor return per bird of 19 cents in 1926 and 33 

 cents in 1927. 



Fall egg production increased labor return per bird through its rela- 

 tion to average price received for eggs and annual egg production 

 per bird. 



