40 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



is not to develop production on a large scale, but to extend 

 and improve ordinary small operations as far as possible 

 without changing the position they occupy as subordinate 

 to other interests of the poultry keeper and other uses of 

 his land." 



While there will always be a place for the growing of 

 agricultural specialities, by far the greater part of the 

 agricultural industry must always be concerned with the 

 production of staple crops. 



General Farm Versus bitensire Conditions. — ^As the result 

 of keeping complete records of eighteen farm flocks of 

 chickens and thirteen town flocks, in Ohio, for a period of 

 one year beginning August, 1909, Lloyd & Elser^ report 

 some illuminating facts regarding the keeping of poultry 

 under intensive and extensive conditions. This may be 

 taken as representing the results to be attained under similar 

 conditions throughout the heavy producing states. 



The town flocks, excluding one owned by a commercial 

 poultryman, varied in size from 18 to 97 birds, averaging 

 46 birds. These flocks gave results varying from an average 

 loss per bird of $0.93 to an average proflt of $1.64 per bird. 

 The average profit per bird for all the town flocks was $0.36 

 per bird for the year. 



It is highly interesting to note, however, that the average 

 profit per bird in flocks above the average size was $0.26, 

 while the average profit per bird in flocks below the average 

 in size was $0.44. 



Eight of the flocks were in close confinement and had no 

 range. The feed cost per bird was in this case $0.99, while 

 the feed cost for those having a limited range was $0.87 

 for the year. No statement is made of the feeding of these 

 flocks, and it is impossible to draw conclusions as to how 

 much of this saving is due to the green feed furnished in the 

 form of pasture to the ranging birds. 



The eighteen farm flocks varied in size from 38 to 370 

 fowls and averaged 121. The average profit per bird in 

 different flocks varied from $2.47 to $0.62, with an average 



> Ohio Circular No. 118. 



