POULTRY PROFITS 79 



Table 4. Net Differences in Labor Return Associated 'with Differences 

 in Annual Egg Production per Bird* 



Annual Egg Production Labor Return per Bird 



per Bird 1926 1927 



Dollars Dollars 



80 1.00 .69 



100 1.58 1.29 



120 2.16 1.89 



140 2.74 2.49 



160 3.32 3.09 



180 3.90 3.69 



* The data shown in Table 4 and Figure 1 are not simple group averaf;i'.s but are 

 smoothed averages or '■regressions'' obtained by titling straight lines according to the 

 method of multiple correlation. They represent the average trend of the relationshiji 

 while holding constant the other factors studied. Any one of the individual records 

 might fall above or below a line drawn parallel with the tops of the bars in Figure 1, 

 but the line would represent the average tendency. 



Table 5. Poultry Flocks Classified According to Annual Egg Production 



per Bird. 



Annual Egg Production Number of Flocks Studied 



per bird 1926 1927 



60— 79 1 1 



80— 99 6 5 



100 — 119 20 10 



120—139 34 28 



140 — 159 40 42 



160—179 31 32 



180 — 199 9 11 



200 — 219 3 3 



220 — 239 2 



Total 144 134 



Other Credits Than Market E<j(fs 



The average relation found between other credits than market eggs 

 per bird and labor return per bird is given in Table 6 and shown graphic- 

 ally in Figure 2. Other credits include receipts from hatching eggs and 

 chicks, broilers, roasters, and so forth, as well as credits for products used 

 at home and inventory changes. On the average, in 1926 an increase of 

 one dollar in other credits than market eggs per bird was associated with 

 an increase of 28 cents in labor return per bird, and in 1927 by an in- 

 crease of 35 cents. The difference between one dollar and 28 or 35 cents 

 can be regarded as approximating the various expenses necessary in the 

 production of the additional dollar's worth of other credits. 



The relative merits of the various sources of other credits than market 

 eggs is an important field for study. Some poultrymen got increase's 

 returns from specializing in hatching eggs and baby chicks; others in 

 pullets and breeding stsock; still others made good returns from broilers 

 and roasters. The location, available capital and equipment, and the 

 personal training and ability of the individual farmer frequently deter- 

 mine the wisdom of specializing in a particular line. 



