34 POULTRY FARMING 
From a comparison of the two tables it will readily be seen 
that the quality of the average hen is increasing, especially as 
regards number of eggs. This is due undoubtedly to better feed- 
ing and more careful and systematic breeding. 
When it is necessary to estimate the yearly profit from a hen, 
a cost of $1.50 for feed and a return of $1.00 over cost of feed are 
pretty safe figures to rely on. If there is any error it will be on 
the safe side. It must be understood that it will take a well- 
managed plant to equal this. At the same time it should not be 
forgotten that results far superior to the above are very common 
on modern plants when much thought and energy are thrown into 
the work. A number of different plants have been closely studied 
by the author, in various parts of the country, which have turned 
out yearly profits of from 18 to 27 per cent on the investment. 
The largest percentage of profit was on moderately small plants 
of from 200 to 400 birds. The 18 per cent profit was on a plant with 
a laying capacity of over 2,000. This illustrates a very common 
fact: Usually as the plant becomes larger and more birds are kept, 
the owner or manager is less able to look after the necessary de- 
tails; as these details are left to others, there is too apt to be a 
corresponding loss. This is not figured when making calculations 
of profits on paper. 
Here a word of warning will not be out of place: Beware of 
the poultry advertiser, or “ poultry system,” which claims im- 
mense profits per bird per year. These are constantly seen in 
poultry papers, with special advertisements claiming from $5.00 
to $8.00 profit. It is well for the prospective investor to weigh 
the statements carefully and if possible obtain the advice of an 
expert before investing heavily in such “ systems.” The adver- 
tiser may be doing all that he claims and be acting in good 
faith, yet many of the systems would be an utter failure in in- 
experienced hands. In this connection it should be remembered 
that profits which are derived from the various branches of the 
business vary greatly. It is possible for the breeder of high-class 
exhibition birds to make a large income from a few birds; this is 
only after years of breeding and the winning of many high prizes 
at poultry shows. 
Importance of Knowing Actual Profits.—On the average 
poultry farm few records are kept, and the exact income and 
profit resulting from the efforts of the poultryman are too often 
nothing but guesswork. In such cases the poultryman himself is 
