42 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



differences were probably due to the skill of the respective 

 farmers and the comparative vigor of the flocks. 



The average profit per fowl in flocks of less than average 

 size was $0.98, while the average profit per fowl in flocks 

 above average size was .10.0.3. This average result was in 

 spite of the fact that because of intelligent care and rational 

 feeding three of these flocks which exceeded 300 birds gave 

 an average profit of $0.86 per bird. 



The marked dift'erences between the town flocks and the 

 farm flocks were not accounted for Ijy greatly increased 

 production. The average egg production per hen was 71 

 for the farm flocks and 70 for the town flocks. It arose 

 rather from the fact that the farm fowls secured gleanings 

 from grain scattered at harvest and wasted or undigested 

 by li\'e stock, waste from the orchard and garden, ofl'al at 

 butchering time, abundant pasture, weed seeds and insects, 

 as well as sour or unused sweet milk. 



During the same period the flock of a commercial poultry- 

 man residing in town, numbering 333, was kept at an 

 average feed cost of $0.81 per bird, and returned a profit 

 of $1.40 per bird. The average egg production was 141 

 eggs per bird. This egg production which is double that 

 secured in the flocks mentioned above is the result of greater 

 skill, better stock and equipment. 



In all cases, labor and purchased, or marketable, feed 

 were charged against the flocks, but no overhead charges 

 were included. The records in detail are shown in Tables 

 IX and X. It should be understood tliat the ])receding 

 costs and profits were made on the basis of pre-war prices. 

 Their comparative value, liowe\er, is ])robably not alfected. 



Limiting Factors of the Future. — There are three main 

 considerations which will define the general limits of poultr\' 

 production on the farm beyond tliat necessary to market 

 the waste. These arc (1 ) the efficiency of poultry as prochicers 

 of human food; (2) the relation of pnnltry to the coiiscrv ation 

 of soil fertility; and (3) the extent to which general methods 

 of disease prevention may be de\eloped that can success- 

 fully cope with the intensive conditions that progressi\'cly 

 prevail as the number of birds on a given acreage is increased. 



