THE DOLLAR HEN FARM 
ed by a central company, from five hundred to a thousand dol- 
lars should cover the amount. 
The cost of poultry buildings and equipment used on the 
farm will depend largely on the efficiency of the labor of con- 
struction. If constructed in large numbers by a central com- 
pany, the cost would be reduced, but the company would ex- 
_pect to make a profit on their work. 
A plot laid out for two thousand hens will require in 
material: 250 rods of fence with 6-ft. netting which should 
cost about fifty cents a rod. My estimate of this fence put up 
would be $150. If the neighboring field contained no other 
poultry, a portion of this fence might be done away with, 
although its protection against dogs and -strangers may be 
worth while. Of course, if poultry fields of different owners 
lay adjoining, the fence must be used, but the cost will be re- 
duced one-half. 
The next most expensive piece of equipment will be a line 
of about eighty rods of % in. gas pipe and about fifty elbows 
and twenty-five galvonized iron pans. The cost of installation 
will depend largely on how deep it is necessary to go to get 
below the frost line. One hundred and seventy-five dollars 
should cover cost of material and by the use of a plow the line 
ought to be put in for twenty-five dollars. 
The source of water, and the cost of getting a head, will 
necessarily vary with the location. The installation of a wind 
mill and tank to hold supply for several days, or of a small 
gasoline engine, would cost in the neighborhood of one hun- 
dred dollars, but it is a luxury that may be dispensed with if 
the well is not too deep. 
The houses for the hens, of which there are twenty-five, are 
constructed in accordance with some of the plans previously 
discussed. The cost should be about twenty-five cents per hen. 
At least twice as many brooders as colony coops will be 
needed as there are hen houses, but of the lamps and hovers 
not over twenty-five will be required, as the chicks soon out- 
grow the need of this aid. 
_ This makes a list of equipment required for the keeping of 
two thousand layers and their replenishing: 
25 acres of farm land, at $50 per acre.... $1250.00 
250 rods of fence. ........ cece eee reece 150.00 
One: fATMStCAd i026. ose ces ecajeie ease eae sente oe 1000.00 
One team, plow and farm implements.... 300.00 
One watering system..........-...-0.8. 300.00 
25 hen houses, at $20.........0.esseeeee 500.00 
50 colony coops, at $2.50............-005 150.00 
25 lamps and hovers, at $5.............. 125.00 
$3775.00 
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