POULTRY PROFITS 83 



Table 10. Average Rate of Flock Reduction from Death and Culling, 1927. 



Per Cent of Initial Number of Birds Relation of 



At end of: Total Deaths to 



Died Culled Reduction Total Reduction 



Per Cent 



3 month.s 2.7 8.5 11.2 24.2 



6 month.s 6.7 19.2 2-5.9 25.8 



9 months 10.3 37.4 47.7 21.6 



12 months 11.6 65.1 76.7 15.1 



Differences in death loss and fl(jck reduction did not seem to be re- 

 lated to size of flock. A classification of death losses and total reduc- 

 tion by size of flock showed about the same rate of loss in large and small 

 flocks. 



The differences in labor return due to differences in the index of aver- 

 age flock size also suggest tliat culling may be carried too far by some 

 individuals. Even though a bird is a doubtful producer, it will often pay 

 to keep her as long as she more than pays her feed cost, provided the 

 building space and labor are not needed for other phases of the business. 

 Some poultrymen have been known to maintain an unusually high egg 

 production by the practice of rigid culling. At times and up to a cer- 

 tain limit this may be worth while from the standpoint of advertising, 

 but not necessarily from the point of view of profitable egg production. 

 Price of E(/<fs 



A brief study of Table 12 will show the fallacy in believing that there 

 is any one price paid for eggs. Some poultrymen wholesale their eggs, 

 while others retail. Some candle and grade to gain higher prices. Rather 

 marked differences in price level also exist between various local markets. 

 These and other causes account for the price variation existing in the 

 state over the same period of time. 



The analysis of the records indicates that price differences affected 

 labor return per bird as shown in Table 11 and Figure 4. For example, 

 in 1927 the average labor return on farms receiving 45 cents for egg.s 

 M'as $2.32 per bird. The average return in another group of farms receiv- 

 ing 55 cents was $2.98 per bird. These two groups of farms were similar 

 with respect to all the factors studied, except price of eggs. 



Table 11. Net Differences in Labor Return per Bird Associated with 

 Differences in Average Price Received for Market Eggs.* 



Average Price Received Labor Return per Bird 



for Market Eggs 1926 1927 



Cents per Dozen Dollars Dollars 



40 2.39 1.98 



45 2.58 2.32 



50 2.78 2,65 



55 2.96 2.98 



60 3.14 3.32 



65 3.33 3.66 



*With other factors studied held constant at their average values. 

 (See footnote, Table 4, p. 79.) 



