May, 1932] 



Economic Study of Poultry Farms 



49 



The additional costs averaged 11.1 cents per dozen for eggs actually 

 used for hatching. Of this amount 2.8^ was for testing and certifica- 

 tion, 3.7^ for depreciation on cockerels and 4.6^ for cost of feed for 

 cockerels. The total cost of producing hatching eggs averaged 60.2 

 cents per dozen. 



The additional costs in producing hatching eggs varied from 4.1 to 

 39.2 cents per dozen. The total cost of producing hatching eggs ranged 

 from 46.4 to 88.6 cents per dozen. 



These costs were estimated on the basis of number of eggs actually 

 used or sold for hatching, and the great variation can largely be ac- 

 counted for by the presence or absence of some source of disposal of 

 the surplus hatching eggs produced. On a given flock of birds tested, 

 and mated up for the production of hatching eggs, the total extra cost 

 will not be materially changed whether all of the eggs produced go as 

 hatching eggs or whether only a small percentage are so used. 



Evidently some of the men who had incurred the extra expense were 

 not able to find an outlet for their surplus and had to dispose of them 

 as market eggs. 



Table 20 — Relation of number of hatching eggs prod need per mated hen 

 to east of producing hatching eggs 



In Table 20 the 16 farms are sorted according to dozens of hatching 

 eggs used or sold per mated hen. The extra costs of production in the 

 four classes — 23.7^, 13.1^, 16.2^ and 4.8^ — indicate the importance of 

 this factor. 



The average price recived for all hatching eggs sold by these farms 

 during the period December, 1929, to June, 1930, was 69.7 cents per 

 dozen. The average price for top-grade market eggs during this same 

 period was about 40^ per dozen. Obviously, those farms which were 

 able to produce hatching eggs at an extra cost of less than 10 cents 

 •over market-egg costs were receiving a considerable margin from this 

 phase of their business. 



Production of Hatching Eggs for Replacement 



The practical question of whether or not to produce their own hatch- 

 ing eggs is raised by many poultrymen. From a breeding pen 

 averaging 40% production during January, February and March, ap- 

 proximately three dozen eggs per hen could be expected, or roughly, 



