COST OF MARKETING 

 NEW HAMPSHIRE BROILERS 



By E. H. RiNEAR 



Since many poultrymen now have the option of selling broilers by 

 shipping direct or selling to jobbers at the farm, the question "How 

 much does it cost per pound to market New Hampshire express broilers 

 in Xew York City," is often asked. Shrinkage, transportation, and com- 

 mission are the principal items of cost. 



Shrinkage: On the same market, shrinkage varies greatly and is af- 

 fected bj' many factors. Broilers of good quality and good health are 

 likely not only to stand transportation with less loss, but also to make 

 better feed gains if given the opportunity than birds that are weak and 

 sickly. Then, too, according to commission men, broilers raised in a 

 battery make feed gains more readily than those grown in an open pen, 

 because they are accustomed to eating from troughs placed beside the 

 coop. The moisture content of feed given the broilers previous to ship- 

 ping further influences the expense due to shrinkage.* 



Under the supervision of the commission man the broilers are re- 

 ceived and weighed, and usually fed and watered before selling. Care 

 of the broilers by commission men is an important factor in gain or 

 loss in weight between arrival and sale. 



It is a common practice among broiler shippers to make out the way- 

 bills and not to include the weight of the extra feed. (3ften the feed 

 is added after weighing which would tend to reduce the percentage of 

 net shrink. Another factor influencing the net shrinkage would be the 

 amount of "crop" which the birds had when weighed. These different 

 practices among shippers have a direct bearing on shrinkage expense. 



There are many opportunities for shrinkage expense to be increased 

 in transit besides the varying express charges between New Hampshire 

 shipping points. Stealing a chicken is not an unheard-of thing. This 

 could occur while the coops are stacked on the station platform or at 

 other places enroute before they are delivered. This element of shrink 

 is greater with one-way coops, because it is impossible to seal them 

 shut as with a spindle or return coop. Promptness of delivery by the 

 carrier further influences the factor of shrinkage and often the price re- 

 ceived, especially if the broilers arrive late and. have to be carried over 

 and sold the next day. 



Transportation Cost: The express charge on broilers varies slightly 

 from different points in New Hampshire, being $1.39 per liundred on 

 sending weight at East Kingston, $1.54 from Epsom, $1.54 from Dover. 



Commission Cost: Since the commission charge is 5% of selling 

 price, this cost will vary with the price of broilers. For instance, broil- 

 ers on March 3, 1927, sold for 50 cents, the commission cost being 2.5 

 cents. On the other hand broilers on August 4, 1927, sold for 28 cents, 



*Penns}-lvania State College, Station Bulletin No. 216— October, 1927. 



