A 



POULTRY 



LTHOUGH there has been a decrease in 

 total numbers of farms the trend of poul- 

 try production in Montana has been up- 

 ward since 1920, indicating that poultry 

 raising has become a more important farm 

 enterprise relatively than it was in 1920. 



An important phase of the industry in 

 the state is the production of turkeys for 

 outside markets. Unfortunately, so far 

 little reliable information is available con- 

 cerning the numbers and annual value of 

 the turkey crop. An effort is being made 

 now to gather marketing statistics on this 

 item. 



A summary of the poultry statistics of 

 numbers since 1880 is as follows: 



POULTRY ON FARMS AND EGG PRODUCTION 



(Data from Federal Census.) 



^ Chickens Other Fowls t> ^^P a 



Year On Farms On Farms f-^-|^ 



1880 58,244 2,160 208,794 



1890 233,660 9,992 834,166 



1900 531,660 24,900 3,002,890 



1910 966.690 44,150 6,004.051 



1920 2.055,120 72,734 11,858,042 



1925 2,544,698 (140,000)* 13,403,266 



♦Census did not enumerate other poultry in 1924. Figure used here is an estimate and rela- 

 tively large increase compared with 1920 is due to development of turkey industry in this period. 



CHICKENS RAISED. EGGS PRODUCED AND VALUES 



(Data from Census.) 

 CHICKENS EGGS (Dozens) 



No. Raised Value Produced Value 



1909 1,432.471 $ 797,450 6,004,051 $1,610,766 



1919 3,247.090 2.272.963 11.858,042 4,624,636 



1924 3,067,280 1,881,254 13,403,326 3,493,476 



ESTIMATED SALES OF POULTRY AND PRODUCTS 



From Chickens 



and Eggs Turkeys 



1924 - $2,926,000 $718,000 



1925 3,240,000 819,000 



1926 3.360,000 861,000 



Total Value 



$2,408,216 



6,897,599 



5,374,730 



Total 

 $3,644,000 

 4,059,000 

 4.221,000 



EGG PRODUCTION STUDY 1926-1925 



A study of egg production is made through monthly inquiries to reporters 

 of the United States Division of Crop and Livestock Estimates. The following 

 questions are asked: (A) Number of hens, including pullets of laying age, 

 were in your flock yesterday. (B) Number of eggs produced by your flock yes- 

 terday. Results of this survey for both 1926 and 1925 are given here for the 

 information of the reporters cooperating. Much of the value of such surveys 

 will arise from comparison with past years and will develop with length of 

 records. 



