182 MY POULTRY DAY BY DAY 
One might, of course, somewhat reduce the difference of labour 
cost by keeping the birds in flocks of 12 per house, but even 
then the margin would be not less than £5 per week. To put the 
matter in another way, one man could easily feed, attend and look 
after the well-being of 1000 in 4 large houses, and he would not 
be so hard worked as four men would be looking after the same 
number of birds in 83 houses. It is the cost of labour that 
makes all the difference in the profits from large and small 
flocks. Paying each man 25s. per week per 1000 birds in large 
houses would cost £60 per annum, while the same number 
housed in 88 houses would require the services of four men 
at £240 per annum. If kept in flocks of 6 per house the 
labour would run into £400. If one reckon the gross profit of a 
fowl in large flocks at 5s. per annum, that would give a profit of 
£250 on 1000 birds. If we allow 2s. more per bird for those in 
small flocks, that will give £850 per 1000. The results may be set 
out as follows :— 
Large flocks, gross profit . . . £250 
Less cost oflabour . ‘ : . 60 
£190 
Small flocks, gross profit . ‘ . £350 
Less cost of labour . 2 * F 240 
£110 
If we deduct, say, £20 for the excess capital value of the small 
houses and runs the net profit is £90 against £190 for the large- 
flock system. 
Small pens are excellent where labour is of no moment. If 
anyone wants to keep, say, 100 birds and attend to them himself 
there is no reason why he should not have ten houses instead of 
one, excepting that the initial cost is considerably greater. If a 
poultryman does not mind the extra work he will certainly get 
a larger profit if he keeps his 100 birds in ten houses, but for egg- 
farming on a large scale the small-flock system is not a paying 
proposition. 
