Economic Study of New Hampshire Poultry Farms* 



H. C. WOODWORTH and F. D. REED 



Commercial poultry raising; has been expanding in southern New 

 Hampshire for a decade or more. In this period many small dairy farms 

 have gradually been converted into poultry establishments, and the in- 

 dividual poultry farm has tended to become larger in size as measured 

 by hens housed. This development of the highly specialized commercial 

 poultry farm has been stimulated by a period of very favorable condi- 

 tions. 



Tn the first place, the New England egg markets, especially during 

 fall and winter, have taken large quantities of fresh hennery eggs at a 

 considerable premium above mid-west eggs. Also, grain prices since the 

 war have been low, giving the poultryman a favorable feed-egg price 

 ratio. In addition, a large group of poultrymen developed special poul- 

 try skill and technique, which enabled them to turn the low-priced 

 grain into premium eggs with a margin that encouraged the expansion 

 of the industry. The development of disease-free flocks and the produc- 

 tion of eggs in early fall and winter by use of early hatched pullets 

 have been of no small significance. 



According to the 1930 census, the value of poultry meat and eggs 

 produced in New Hampshire for the preceding year was $6,464,481, — 

 practically double the figure in 1920. While the industry as a whole has 

 sailed along without mishap and with good margins for a considerable 

 period, it was believed that a detailed economic study was needed as a 

 guide to the future. 



Consequently, a study was undertaken in the fall of 1929 to secure 

 details of management and costs on twenty-three commercial poultry 

 farms. For a period of one year beginning with August and September, 

 1929, weekly or bi-monthly visits were made to each farm to collect and 

 check information, and to observe the individual management prob- 

 lems. The co-operating poultrymen kept financial records of expenses 

 and receipts, weekly egg production, brooding and incubation records. 



* Acknowledgment is made to the staff of the Poultry Department, especially 

 to T. B. Charles, for assistance in the study. 



Acknowledgment is also due to the following- poultry farm operators for their 

 patience in keeping records and for their co-operation in studying poultry 

 problems : 



George Blodgett Harold French Harry Tufts 



Ernest Campbell Edward Larrabee J. P. Weston 



Henry Colson . Arthur Lucas Earl Whipple 



Harry Curtis, Jr. Thomas Mazza P. O. Whitney 



Victor Eliason George McDuffee W. T. Whittle 



Lindley Farr Robert Merrill Herbert Willard 



Orlo Fiske Ernest Paige Henry Willgeroth 



Perley Fitts Mrs. Albert Peterson Irving Wilson 



Arthur Poor 





