54 \. II. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 265 



ing range was 21.8 weeks. Over 70' ', were between 19 and 27 weeks of 

 age. 



On this group of farms, an average of 287 day-old chicks was 

 started for every 100 pullets housed. However, in addition, broilers. 

 cull pullets and other stock were sold or held for sale, roughly equiva- 

 lent to 210 lbs. of broilers per 100 pullets housed. Tims, in this group of 

 18 flocks the 100 pullets and 210 lbs. of broilers are joint products and 

 result from the same expenditure of labor, feed and other cost items. 

 Jn other words, an expenditure of 237 chicks, 3596 lbs. feed, 85 hours 

 labor, $18.83 for overhead and $10.67 for supplies produced 100 good 

 pullets and 210 lbs. of broilers. 



For the period of this study, viz., the spring of 1930, the situation 

 was approximately as follows when the cost items are estimated in 

 money values : 



$47.40 estimated value of chicks" 

 100.94 feed 



100 pullets 



31.00 labor \. = ' and 



210 lbs. broilers 



18.83 overhead 

 10.67 supplies 



or 

 $208.84 = 100 pullets and 210 lbs. broilers 



It is obvious that if the sale value of the broilers is credited to the 

 cost of growing the pullets, the market value of the broilers may have 

 considerable influence on the result. Losses or gains on broilers are thus 

 absorbed by the pullets. Under the conditions obtaining on these farms 

 the sale of broilers, etc., amounted to $77.61, and when this is credited 

 to the total cost, the cost of producing 100 pullets can be estimated at 

 $131.15. In noting this cost, it should be remembered that the figure is 

 based on the following assumptions: 



1. Chicks valued at 20c 1 (market value at that time). 



2. Peed at actual cost, 



3. Labor at eosl tor hired labor and assumed rate of 40^ per 



hour For owner's labor. 



4. Overhead based on depreciation on buildings and equip- 



ment, interest on estimated investment in buildings 

 and range, and share of other overhead expense. 



Use of Formula in Outlook Work 



The formula given above for the cost of producing 100 pullets, if 

 used roughly, should have some value to poultrymen and extension 

 men in comparing one year with another, and by substituting prevail- 

 ing prices each year should provide some guide as to a poultryman's 

 relative position in different years. Without such a formula, when \\^h\ 

 and broilers fluctuate widely in price, it is difficult for the poultryman 

 to interpret his position. 



In the spring of 1032, for instance, with feed and broiler prices low, 

 the formula would indicate that pullets cost nearly as much as in 1930 

 when broilers and i'ov(\ were higher. Thus, substituting 1932 values in 

 the formula: 



