WITH 4200 HENS 23 



during the present calendar N year (1919) a flock of well- 

 bred and well-cared-for birds, averaging not less than half 

 and half of young pullets and yearling hens, should net 

 a profit of not less than $2.50 per bird. 



If prices recede to the pre-war level, when the whole- 

 sale price of eggs (to the producer) dropped as low as 

 20c during the storage months of March, April and May ; 

 and if the price of the feed stuffs also declines to the 

 pre-war level, when good feed-wheat could be bought in 

 large quantities at about $1.75 per hundred (practically 

 $1.00 per bushel) and first class yellow corn could be had 

 at $2.00 per hundred ($1.12 per bushel), (both prices be- 

 ing on basis of delivery in our barns in Southern Cali- 

 fornia), under these conditions the net profit per bird with 

 the same flock should be from $1.25 to $1.50. This is as 

 good an estimate as anyone can make under the condi- 

 tions prevailing. 



The figures are based on the writer's own experience, 

 and the yield per bird, which of course governs the results, 

 is based on the average production he has been able to 

 secure, to-wit: from 140 to 150 eggs per pullet and from 

 110 to 120 eggs from yearling hens. If you can better 

 this production one year for another your profits will be 

 increased. 



The estimates are based on selling the product for table 

 use, at market quotations, which is the only safe basis 

 to count on. Sales of eggs for hatching purposes would 

 increase the profit per hen because of the premium re- 

 ceived over the market price ; but as such sales are prob- 

 lematical, the careful man bases his calculation on the 

 assured price and considers any premium derived as 

 "velvet" 



