

X. II. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 265 



enough to obtain 10 pullets. This means that the breeding flock would 

 require about 1<»', of the capacity of the bouse. According to the data 

 in Table 2i>. the extra costs on the production of three dozen hatching 

 eggs per hen would be approximately 15 cents per dozen. Of course, 

 this would mean the spreading oul of the brooding season over several 

 months which might not lit into the besl use of available time on many 

 farms. 



As Par as costs of producing hatching eggs are concerned, it would 

 seem fairly practical for a man to raise his own stock. There are other 

 important considerations, however, such as available time and skill for 

 incubation, and available time for brooding small lots. 



The poultryman has three options in obtaining chicks for replace- 

 ment. He may purchase day-old chicks from a breeder; he may produce 

 hatching eggs and have them custom-hatched; or he may produce 

 hatching eggs and incubate them. The choice of these options should 

 be made by the individual in the lighl of his own situation and peculiar 

 skills, as well as prices of purchased chicks. 





1 laying house on mic of the co-opera l i u </ farms. Lower pens arc \if.ed 

 for individual pedigree mating a 



INCUBATION RECORDS AND COSTS 



Cost of Incubation 



The twelve farms which did some incubating hatched 181,423 chicks. 

 one operator hatched 2500 chicks for the replacement of the nock, but 

 the others hatched to supply Orders in addition to their own replace- 

 ments. (Table 21.) One farm, specializing in baby chicks and in custom 

 hatching, incubated over 60,000 chicks. 



The average per cent hatch was 67.8%, and the range in hatchability 

 on the individual farms was from 4(i.!»',' to 83.0%. 



