238 Report or THE First ASSISTANT OF THE 
Mee 

The special feeding of the separate lots was not begun. until 4 ; 
they had attained the weight of from two to four pounds. In cal- 
culating the total cost per fowl the cost assumed up to these 
weights is the average cost found in feeding thirty chicks of both 
sexes from hatching up to the same average weight. These 
chicks, as also all used in experiments, were hatched after the 
| usual farm methods by hens and were kept with hens for several 
weeks. The recorded cost of food, therefore, for the chicks during 
the first six or seven weeks after hatching is considerably more 
than that necessary for those kept in brooders as it includes the 
cost of food consumed by the hen. 
The cost of the chick when hatched and on an average about one- 
tenth pound in weight, is taken at five cents, enough to cover the 
cost of eggs and of food for setting hen. (Chicks can, however, 
be hatched at time of year when those to make capons are 
hatched at somewhat less cost.) This is added to the total cost of 
food consumed per fowl up to any weight to find the cost per fowl 
at such weight as given in the tabulated results following. The 
total cost given is, therefore, that for food and hatching alone. No 
account is taken of the labor or use of buildings, land, ete., as the 
proportion would vary much where many or few capons were 
grown and in regard to location, ete. No allowance is made for 
value of the manure produced. (This, however, is much less 
valuable than many seem to think.) Neither is any account taken 
of the cost of marketing. 
There is also a certain per cent. of loss from various diseases, 
accidents, etc., among the fowls at all ages, which it is important 
should not be forgotten in making estimates of profit, but as thiy — | 
varies so much with the character of the stock and their quarters, — 
care, etc., there can hardly be any average assumed; but it is safe 
to say that with favorable conditions and careful attention a loss i : 
with young chicks or older birds of five per cent. can be expected. | . : 
No bird among those grown at this Station has died during two 
years past directly on account of the operation. (The loss of one, | 
some weeks after caponizing, was due more to an oversight in ~ 
after treatment than to the direct effect of the operation itself.) — 
But in order to make sure of killing no birds it is occasionally 

