Chicken money; how to make farm flocks profitable

Front matter

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STOCKMAN-F

HOW TO MAKE FARM FLOCKS PROFITABLE

Chapter I. Poultry As A Farm Crop

There may be two sides to the argument about the poultry business as an -exclusive specialty, but there is not the slightest room to question its profitableness as a branch of farm work. The poultry specialist can never compete with the farmer in the relative cost of production, and. where the resources of the farm are carefully estimated and utilized, the production of farm poultry is invariably a profitable source of income. In a recent investigation undertaken by the Ohio State Experiment Station, in which the profit from farm flocks was carefully estimated in a number of cases in different parts of the state and under widely varying conditions, it was found that the average gross income from each fowl kept on the farm was approximately $1.76 and the net profit after deducting cost of food, labor and interest on investment was 87 cents per hen; and this in spite of the fact that our farm flocks are rarely so managed as to get the maximum returns from them.

The poultry industry has a number of advantages as a farm crop which are well worth considering. If there is any advantage in sending finished products to the market instead of unfinished products, then poultry must be given special recognition because such products represent the highest class of finished products that come from our farms. No other farm product represents an equal value in proportion to its weight. No other branch of the livestock industry produces a larger income in proportion to the value of the stock or the cost of equipment or feedstuifs used. The annual value of the poultry products of the farms of the country is estimated by government statisticians at 400 per cent on the market value of the stock. The amount of feed required to produce a given weight of eggs or market poultry is little if any greater than that required to produce a corresponding gain in other kinds of livestock or livestock production, while the market value of the product is very much higher. In other words the farmer who feeds his grains to hens may secure a larger total income from the grains supplied than can be secured by utilizing any other class of livestock. In addition to this there is a great deal of waste feeding material present on the average farm which may be utilized by fowls, taking the place of market grains — feedstuffs that could not be utilized in any other way. For this reason the farm which carries a good flock of poultry should have the smallest possible waste in the utilization of farm products and resources. It is worth considering also that on the farm it is not necessary to devote any appreciable amount of land exclusively to poultry. Under ordinary conditions the poultry crop represents a double profit from the land, interfering in no way with the utilization of the land for other purposes, with right management. The poultry products sold from the farm represent practically no loss of fertility and are marketed at slight expense. Not only this but the presence of the poultry flock may be made decidedly beneficial to the land. The fowls assist in keeping down weeds, contribute fertility of great value, and with proper care and attention will cause no damage to the farm crops. To the farmer of small means the poultry crop is of special value, as the necessary investment in buildings and equipment is quite small in comparison with the revenue which may be derived, and the possession of a certain income from the poultry flock has sustained many a farmer and kept him afloat during the years when he was getting established in other lines of farming. The story of one Ohio farmer is an excellent illustration of this point.

How a Farm Flock Built a House.

Twenty years ago this farmer started in life for himself with a 100-acre farm, a debt, and some chickens. From the start he appreciated the possibilities of poultry and within two or three years had increased his flock to 200 hens and has kept that number on an average every year since. He tried other lines of farming and has been successful, but still considers poultry the most profitable department. During all these years his gross income from the poultry flock has been from $300 to $500 a year— never less than $400 in recent years — and this certain income has pulled him out of many financial holes. Other crops and products have varied in gross income or in profit with the season or the markets, but the poultry income has never disappointed. Ten years ago he went in debt for an addition to his farm and shortly after his house burned down. Under his conditions it would have been practically impossible for him to meet this burden without the help of the hens. With that annual poultry income of $400 or $500 back of him he was able to go right ahead. The house shown in Fig. 1 was built and furnished entirely with hen money. There is not a better farm house in the township, and all debts have been paid off. This has been done with no special strain and in spite of a big handicap in marketing. The farm is located ten miles from market and on a bad road so that the farmer is not able to market his eggs to advantage, selling entirely in the local market.

The story of his success is, in varying degree, duplicated in thousands of farm homes. And with such illustrations all around us it is unaccountable that we are so slow to awaken to the possibilities of the larger development of farm flocks.

Chapter II. The Importance Of Larger Farm Flocks

According to the figures given in the last census the average farm flock numbers 53 fowls, and while there is no question but that these flocks are paying there is equally no room to doubt that our farmers are realizing only a small part of the income that is possible, because of the fact that a flock of 53 fowls is too small be economically managed. As to a producer of income it is an absurdity. In no other industry is there so wide a margin between the prices received for fancy products and those of ordinary market grade, and as in all other lines of production the largest profits are always in the better grades. The production of fancy poultry products is easily within the reach of every producer, because in the last analysis it is simply a matter of getting the product to market while strictly fresh.

Practically all eggs are fancy eggs when they are first laid. It requires no special skill, ability or knowledge to produce eggs of highest grade, nor is there any difficulty in getting fancy prices for them on the market, while they are in this class. To do this, however, requires prompt marketing, which is out of the (question where small flocks only are kept. Hence the daily production of the average farm flock is too small to be marketed economically except at relatively long intervals. Farm eggs are of notoriously poor quality, not because they were not as good originally as the best that ever go to market, but because they have been held so long and have so deteriorated with age that their value in the market is only a fraction of their original value.

Why Farm Eggs are Cheap.

In the summer of 1911, when the best eggs were bringing 25 cents a dozen in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia wholesale markets, eggs were selling in central Missouri at two and three cents a dozen, and considering their condition that was about all they were worth; and yet these eggs were originally as good as the 25-cent eggs in the city and could have been marketed in prime condition at a cost of a few cents, if the individual grower had had eggs enough to make it an object for him to put them on the market while they were still fresh. Not ail of this difference, it is true, can be charged directly to the small size of farm flocks. Something should, at least, be charged to carelessness and indifference. But the fact remains that Missouri farmers were not producing enough eggs to induce them to make proper efforts to get them into market in prime condition. As a result they had to dispose of the eggs through the ordinary channel of huckster and country store-keeper, with delays all along the line, and the result was a thoroughly disgraceful condition.

Again, in December, 1911, eggs were bringing 45 and 60 cents a dozen in the Pittsburgh market, while within 100 miles of Pittsburgh eggs were selling from the farm at 20 cents a dozen. In this case it was not a matter of quality, it was simply a matter of marketing. The farmers were producing so few eggs that it was not worth their while to give any attention to marketing, and they sold them for what they could get at their doors. It is safe to say that the average farmer can increase the market price of his eggs 25 per cent and possibly more by giving a little attention to the marketing. But in order to do that he must have eggs enough to sell to make it worth his while to meet the requirements of the markets. He must get into these markets while his products are fresh enough to meet their conditions.

The farmer who will increase the size of his flock so that he is in a position to meet the demand of discriminating consumers and who will give some thought to the proper marketing of his product will be able to secure high prices for all the eggs he can produce.

What has been said regarding farm eggs applies with equal force to market poultry. The possibilities in the way of developing a high-priced market for table poultry are scarcely dreamed of as yet. While we persist in marketing the tough, greasy old hens and stringy, staggy cockerels which represent the bulk of the poultry found in our markets today we may expect the consumer to continue buying only in the most limited way. The consumers of poultry, however, are not eating half the number of fowls that they would if the quality of those offered in the market were what consumers have a right to expect. Here again larger flocks are indicated. The owner of the average farm flock has not enough fowls to sell to make this subject of any interest to him.

Another important argument in favor of larger farm flocks is the fact that it is not possible to manage a small flock as efficiently or as economically as a large one. It takes practically as much time to care for the average flock of 53 fowls as it does to care for 200, and one of the most important steps that can be taken, and the step that must be taken before farm poultry keeping is on a really practical basis, is to increase very decidedly the size of the farm flock. The average farm flock ought to be 200 instead of 53 and there is no good reason why this average should not be quickly attained. The writers on poultry topics who are constantly advising people to go slow in going into the poultry business ought to make an exception in the case of the farmers who have comparatively little to risk by a decided increase in the size of their flocks but who have much to gain, and for whom an increase in the flock is the only

Figure 1 — A Home Paid for by Hens

^Figure 2 — The Wrong Kind of a Hen House

Figure 3 — Better than no House

Figure 5 — Open Front House, Without Curtain or Glass practical thing. The man who has had no experience in the poultry business or in any other line of agriculture does need to be cautioned against going into the business too rapidly, but the reasons for this are not reasons which in any way touch the farmer. I want to discuss this subject, therefore, on the basis of a 200-hen flock. Every farmer who keeps chickens for eggs or for the production of market poultry must have that number in order to manage his business with any real efficiency. With 200 hens his egg production during the most of the year will be large enough to enable him to ship in regular market cases at intervals of a few days, which will make it possible for him to get in touch with consumers who call for the highest quality of eggs and will open up to him a market that will always be a closed door to those with small flocks. He will also have enough surplus stock to dispose of as table poultry to make it worth while to specially fatten it and put it on the market in prime condition.

Extensive Methods for Farms.

Of the two systems of poultry keeping, known as extensive and intensive, without any question the extensive system, which means giving the fowls open range, is much better adapted to farm conditions. While it is always desirable to have a small yard attached to the poultry house, to which fowls may be confined for short periods when special conditions make it desirable, during much the greater part of the year the fowls should have free range over the farm. It is only by doing this that the farmer is able to utilize fully his resources, reducing the cost of production and escaping a host of difficulties that accompany more intensive methods. The farmer who yards his fowls throws away practically all his special advantages and puts himself in direct competition with the specialist, the last thing that he can afford to do.

The danger of injury to field crops, which is usually mentioned in connection with the discussion of open range for fowls, is not a serious one if the fowls are properly fed. Most cases of crop damage attributed to fowls are due to the fact that they are insufficiently fed. Fowls that have enough to eat will do little damage to growing crops except possibly at seeding and harvest time, when they may be confined to small yards for a short period without injury.

Chapter III. Breeds

The question of the breed that should be kept on the 200- hen plant is one that cannot be definitely answered because it depends to some extent upon the precise line of production which the individual may have in mind, and more upon his personal preference. The only practical answer that can be given to the question which is continually asked as to what breed is best for the farmer is, "The one you like best." Contrary to general belief there is no special difference in the productive capacity of the common and more popular breeds. In the egg contests which have been carried on in this country and in Australia the best records have been secured by flocks representative of so many breeds that it ought to be clear by this time that egg production is almost wholly a matter of strain and of adaptation of methods to the peculiarities of the different breeds. Given proper care and attention Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds, Orpingtons and Leghorns will all approximate the same general level of production. But while this is true it is also true that some breeds are more easily managed than others and are better adapted to ordinary conditions of care and feeding.

The first real interest manifested in the poultry business in this country dates back to 1840 and 1850, when extensive importations of fowls of the Asiatic class were made. These fowls were the progenitors of our present Cochin, Light Brahma and Langshan breeds, and attracted a great deal of interest and awakened a great deal of enthusiasm. It was found, however, that their great size, profuse feathering and sluggish disposition did not at all fit them for the conditions of ordinary farm or commercial poultry keeping and other breeds were subsequently originated, nowknown as general-purpose breeds, which were expected to accomplish what it was found the Asiatics could not. They were to be good table fowls and producers of large numbers of market eggs, and in a measure they realized this expectation. The characteristics of these general-purpose breeds are essentially similar. They make good table fowls, with proper handling they produce large numbers of eggs, and are by far the most popular with the average poultryman. I believe, however, that one cause which has operated to retard the development of the poultry industry of the country, and to keep the farm flock down to the low average of 5'i fowls, has been the overwhelming popularity of general-purpose breeds. It has carried with it, either necessarily or by preference. the hatching and brooding of chickens by natural means, small flocks, and laborious methods of feeding and management. I question whether it will be possible to greatly increase the average, or in other words to reach the ideal of 200 hens for the farm flock, until the so-called egg-laying breeds are adopted generally in place of the larger breeds which are now the favorites.

Without going into a general discussion of breeds, which is entirely outside the province of this work, I should like to describe the general characteristics of the breeds which are most in popular favor. For the farm flock the Asiatics, or the Light Brahmas, Cochins and Langhans, are for one reason or another, out of the question. These breeds have many points of merit which commend them to fanciers and to producers of market poultry, but the difficulty of managing them successfully in large flocks is such as to make them impracticable on the average farm. The Plymouth Rocks have held their popularity through half a century, and there must be some good reason for this. They are large, fairly easily bred if high quality is not sought, and with proper handling they are excellent layers. Of all our dual-purpose breeds, however, the Plymouth Rock is the slowest in maturing, requiring from seven to eight months to reach full development and profitable production, which makes winter-laying pullets practically out of the question. To secure such it is necessary to resort to early hatching, which is only possible by the use of incubators and brooders, and few farmers with small flocks are provided with these. The Barred Plymouth Rock is characterized by unusual weight or development in the rear, a characteristic which results in an unusual tendency toward the accumulation of internal fat, and which has a great deal to do with the difficulty of keeping fowls of this breed in good condition. Largely because of this fact, which was observed early in the history of the breed, the Wyandottes were originated and as compared with Plymouth Rocks are blockier in form, reach maturity at least a couple of weeks sooner, are less disposed to accumulate internal fat and for that reason are more easily cared for and likely to give better results when fed on the grains usually produced on the farm.

Sixty years ago in what is known as the Little Compton District of Rhode Island the farmers of that section began to develop a general-purpose breed according to their own ideas, and the result of the consistent development of certain characteristics is represented in what we now know as the Rhode Island Reds. This breed reaches the same size as the Wyandotte, is longer in body, contains some Leghorn blood, reaches maturity at least two weeks earlier than the Wyandotte and is fully as productive. In a general way this breed is excellently adapted to farm conditions, but is subject to the objection that the type and color of the breed are far from being well established and without careful breeding it is likely to deteriorate rapidly on the farm. The fowls of this breed do not make as good table fowls nor do they make as attractive an appearance as do the other general-purpose breeds just mentioned.

In recent years the Orpingtons have sprung rapidly into prominence and popularity. They are good producers of eggs and where white legs and white skin are not objectionable make excellent table fowls. So long as the general market prefers yellow-skinned fowls, however, the farmer can well afford to go slow in adopting a breed possessing the superficial characteristics of The Orpington.

The Leghorns belong to the general class known as the egg-laying type, not necessarily because they lay more eggs than the other breeds but because they have little value for any other purpose and because they produce eggs at lower feed cost, and can be kept in larger flocks and managed with less labor and with less skill than any of the other breeds. East of the Hudson River the general-purpose breeds are more common, apparently because the Boston market demands brown-shelled eggs. West of the Hudson River practically all large successful poultry farms are stocked with Leghorns. The Leghorn is preeminently the commercial egg-grower's breed. Leghorns may be kept in flocks of several hundred, may be fed from hoppers and in various ways the labor of caring for them may be simplified as compared with the larger breeds, and without question eggs may be produced more cheaply. Whether the farm flock should be composed of Leghorns or of some of our general-purpose breeds will depend to some extent upon the personal preference of the farmer, and also upon whether he expects to make the production of market poultry an important part of his business. There is no question about the fact that there are in most localities splendid opportunities for the development of markets for high-class table poultry, which may easily be made as profitable as egg production, and in that case the general-purpose breeds will of course be much more satisfactory. But if egg production is to be the chief source of income, and if no special attention is to be given to developing the trade in market poultry, it is hard to understand why any breed but Leghorns should be preferred for the purpose. The feed cost of egg production will run 25 per cent greater with the larger breeds, and the labor cost will be much greater as well.

Chapter IV. The Poultry House

With our ideal of a 200-hen flock in mind two poultry houses should be provided, with a capacity of 100 each. It will seldom be found practicable to renew the entire laying flock each year, the usual plan being to select from the hens on hand enough of the best individuals one or two years old to make up about one-half the flock, the remainder being replaced with early-hatched pullets. While there is probably no objection to keeping 200 Leghorn hens in one flock (some commercial plants have as high as 1,000 or 1,500 in a single flock), it is not desirable that pullets and hens should be kept together, as they require somewhat different treatment, and separate houses should be provided. A house suitable for 100 to 125 hens should have about 400 square feet of floor space.

No hard or fast rules can be laid down for poultry house construction. Much depends upon the location, the breed kept, the size of the flock, the amount of liberty the fowls will have and the personal preferences of the owner. There are, however, some general considerations which should be carefully weighed because, in a way, they represent the summing up of the practical experience of our most successful poultrymen. The plans shown in Fig. 4 provide very satisfactory conditions for a farm poultry house. This house is designed to provide winter accommodations for a flock of 100 hens of general purpose breeds or 125 of Leghorns if desired. This number may be further increased in summer if necessary, when the fowls are out on range. It is 16 x 24 feet, 7 feet high in front and 5 in the rear, with a roof of uneven span and with doors and windows arranged as indicated in the diagram. The plan of this house may be modified to meet various conditions, but changes should be made with care. The poultryman has found that, in a general way, the height of the house front should be about one-half the depth, to admit sunlight to the rear of the room. The glass should be proportioned to the floor space, providing about one square foot of glass to 15 square feet of floor space. It will be noticed further that this design provides for a muslin shutter three and one-half feet by eight, a feature which is indispensable in the proper lighting and ventilation of the modern poultry house. It seems necessary to advise against going to extremes in the matter of the open front, a marked tendency at present, and from which it would seem there is bound to be a reaction. Hen comfort is a different matter from human comfort, and fowls will be entirely comfortable at relatively low tempera-

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a xnxoxo tures if protected from storms, draughts, dampness and great extremes in temperature. There is nothing, however, to be gained by exposing hens to outdoor temperatures when the thermometer is at or below zero. It is true that houses with entire open fronts may be built in such a way as to keep the hens fairly comfortable. Usually, however, this is done by reducing the height of the front to such a point that sunlight cannot penetrate to more than one-half the depth of the house, which necessitates admitting sunlight from the east and the west. Fig. 5 illustrates such a house with a front four feet high. If built 10 x 16 it will accommodate 40 fowls. There are no curtains to bother with, the front being left open at all times. This style of construction is perhaps not objectionable, but is impracticable in houses with more than one compartment. The type of house illustrated in either Fig. 4 or Fig. 6 is better adapted to average farm conditions and farm needs than any other type of house that has been thoroughly tried out. It is not practicable to increase the width of the house beyond 16 feet without adding disproportionately to the expense. It may be built narrower if desired, in which case a shed roof may be used instead of a roof of uneven span; but all the proportions and outlines of the house here illustrated have been worked out with great care, and unless there is some special reason for modifying the plan the house should be built as here indicated.

A complete bill for lumber and material is appended, and the house can be built with a dirt floor for $86 where lumber can be secured at the prices quoted in the estimate. A substantial board floor can be added at a cost of $22.50. A concrete floor with a solid six-inch concrete foundation can be laid at a cost of about $20, with concrete figured at 12 cents the cubic foot. In localities where cheaper material can be secured this house can be built for much less than the amounts mentioned above.

A House for Fifty Hens.

If it is desired to build smaller houses the one shown in Fig. 7 is recommended. It is designed to accommodate 50 hens. It is seldom desirable to build houses over 12 feet in width with shed roofs. A greater width than this demands inside supports, which interfere with daily work to a marked degree. A bill for lumber and materials is appended. At the prices quoted this house can be built with a dirt floor for about $50. A board floor will cost $13 additional. A cement floor with solid concrete wall can be added for $15.

Other houses in practical use are illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9.

The poultry house should be located on a well-drained spot with a southern exposure and in a sheltered position if possible, but should be placed with reference to other buildings, so that the

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Figure 6 — House for Fifty Hens — Brooder House in Summer

This is a photo of two houses built on the plan given in Figure 7. In this case the

houses are used as brooder houses. For description

of the use of the house see page 15

Figure 8— House for 100 Hens on an Ohio Farm

Figure 9— Open Front House with Hood

Figure II — Portable Colony House— Used as Brooder House in Spring fowls may be cared for along with the other stock of the farm, avoiding as far as possible the necessity for special trips to the hen house. The house may be built very cheaply of rough lumber and covered with roofing paper, or ordinary grooved siding may be used and the house painted. If the lumber has to be bought at usual prices it will be found that the use of grooved siding is more economical than the use of rough lumber to be covered with roofing paper, while the building presents a much more attractive appearance and is more permanent and durable. The roof should be of a good grade of prepared roofing paper. Avoid the use of ordinary tarred roofing because of its lack of durability.