IMPORTANT RECORDS TO KEEP 461 



follows: (1) Number of nest and number of hen; (2) date when set; 

 (3) number and kind of eggs; (4) number of eggs tested out on the 

 seventh and fou teenth days; (5) the hatch or number of vigorous 

 chicks taken from the nest. 



The above record can best be kept in a small pocket notebook, 

 for nests are usually in places where it would be impossible to 

 post records without danger of loss or soiling. 



Brooding Records. Whether brooding is carried on in small 

 outdoor brooders or in the large brooder house, if the poultry- 

 man wishes to know just how efficient his system of brooding 

 is, he must keep a record which will give him at a glance the 

 following facts pertaining to the brood: (1) Number of chicks 

 when brood began; (2) temperature of room and brooder, taken 

 three times daily; (3) daily mortality; (4) amount and kind of 

 feed, if desired (this, however, is not of much importance); (5) 

 total mortality up to a certain age; (6) percentage of brood up 

 to that age. A good breeder record is shown. 



Feeding Records. Where very detailed and accurate records 

 of cost and amount of feed consumed are desired, the method 

 shown in the form on page 459 will be found advantageous. 

 On the ordinary farm, a feeding record on the monthly pen sheet 

 will be sufficient. 



Labor Records. On large poultry plants where many men are 

 employed, or where it is desirable to keep a record of the time 

 consumed in doing a certain kind of work, the method described 

 will be satisfactory. 



Have special time cards prepared, one for each laborer, for 

 one week, with his name written upon it. The cards should be 

 ruled horizontally into as many spaces as there are different 

 kinds of work to be recorded, and vertically into nine columns. 

 The first column is for the kind of work, the next seven for 

 the days of the week, and the last one for the total number 

 of hours spent at each kind of work. The accompanying form 

 (p. 462) shows this plan. 



By making a different distribution of labor, or by eliminat- 

 ing some detail, it is often possible greatly to reduce the cost in 

 caring for a large flock of birds. Such a record as the one described 

 will aid in solving this problem. 



Young Stock Records. It is advisable to keep a record of 

 all young stock put on the range, and to check up this list when 

 they are put into laying quarters in the fall. Because of possible 



