16 X. II. Agr. Expebiment Station [Bulletin 265 



duction. It is true that Farm A fed a certain li i *_i'Ii priced ration and 

 gol 49.7^5 production, but it is equally true thai Farm W fed the same 



ration and got only 30.9%. Also, it should be noted that Farm L, which 

 had the second highest production, 43.9%, fed a low priced ration. On 

 the twelve farms with below $2.62 per cwt. ration cost, the production 

 averaged (simple average) 38.6$ at a teed cost of 21. 7c per dozen. 

 On the farms which Fed a ration costing more than $2.62, the produc- 

 tion averaged 39.3$ at a feed cost of 22. Sr per dozen. 



This comparison brings up an important problem involving technical 

 as well as economic phases of poultry feeding. Laying rations based 

 on the New England College Conference Formula are available 

 throughout the state at a small margin above the cost of the ingredi- 

 ents when purchased separately and have proven very satisfactory to 

 many individual poultrymen. The formula has been used in the official 

 egg-laying contest at Storrs, Connecticut, where record production has 

 been attained. Since the conference formula has proven adequate in 

 securing and maintaining high production, it is suggested here that the 

 New Hampshire poultrymen should use the market price of the in- 

 gredients of the conference mixture as a base in comparing ration 

 costs. In other words, it is not essential or necessary to feed the college 

 conference formula, but the operator can at all times compare the price 

 of the commercial feed he is using with the cost of the college confer- 

 ence mixture and thus guard against paying too much for feed. 



No doubt, the individual poultryman is constantly laboring under 

 the fear of doing something that will throw his laying flock out of pro- 

 duction. This fear is well grounded because mistakes in feeding or 

 management may affect production and bring heavy financial losses. 

 But individual poultrymen in this study in January, 1930, were paying 

 as much as $12 more per ton above the cost of rations based on the con- 

 ference formula. On a farm averaging 1000 layers this extra cost of 

 mash would amount to approximately $250 a year on the laying flock 

 alone. 



In considering laying rations, it is important to realize that pro- 

 duction is influenced by methods of feeding, quantities fed, proportion 

 of mash to scratch, adequate supply of clean water at all times, 

 warmth, li^ht, ventilation and health of stock, and details of handling 

 the flocks. Failure in any one of these factors may throw the hens out 

 of production. 



Labor 



The labor cost is dependent to a Large extent on the number of layers 

 per worker. Any contemplated organization, however, of a poultry 

 farm must take into account I he strength, health and capacity of the 

 operator. It is thought from observation on this group of farms that an 

 average man in the prime of life can handle 1000 to 1500 laying birds 

 and real- the pnllets for replacement with very little hired labor. The 

 poultryman who expects a good income will probably have to plan on 

 at least 1200 birds for a one-man farm and 2500 for a two-man farm. 



