, 1919-01-09
Flock of Seven in Washington,
D. c., Supplied Large FAM
lily With Eggs.
PRODUCED AT LITTLE COST
Table Scraps and Kitchen Waste
Which Would Otherwise Be
Thrown Away Were Utilized
There Was No Cost Of
Equipment.

The value of a small flock of laying
hens on a town or village lot or in
a city back yard should not be under
estimated. Even as few as six or eight
hens should produce eggs enough,
where used economically, for a family
of four or five persons throughout the
entire year, except during the melting
period of the fall and early winter.
The product of such a flock, both in
the form of eggs and fowls for the
table, may be produced at a relatively
low cost, because of the possibility of
utilizing table scraps and kitchen
waste which would otherwise be
thrown away.
So many records of backyard flocks
have shown profit that there can be
40 question but what backyard poul-
try keeping is profitable under the
proper conditions. The record of a
small flock kept in Washington dur
ing the past year throws soine light
on what can be accomplished under
conditions that prevailed during that
time. The flock consisted Of seven
hens which were bought December 1S,
1917, for $3.50. This flock was car
ried through the ensuing year. Two
were killed and eaten; the other five
were carried the rest of the summer
and continued to lay until September
18, the day on which the last egg was
produced.
contributory Causes to Success.
Two things should be kept in mind
In connection with this flock; first,
that the number of hens was small /;
and second, that the family in the
household concerned was much larger
than the average, with the result that
a considerably greater amount of table
scraps was available for feeding the
hens than would be the case in the
average family or with a larger flock.
The hens started laying in January,
the egg production by months being
as follows: January, 81; February,
ID; March, 1872; April, 100; May. 40;
June 112; July, 10Y; August, 10S;
September, 43. This gives a total egg
production of S57, or II 5-12 dozens.
The feed which was purchased and
fed to these hens during this period,
and in fact which was sufficient to
carry the hens until December /, 1918,
cost $7.01.
There was no cost of equipment in
caring for the hens. During the win
ter the flock was confined to a corner
of the cellar, which was partitioned
off by means of old screens and screen
doors. A board was placed by a win
dow which allowed the hens to get
outdoors during the bright days. On
the rest Of the winter days they were
confined to the cellar. During the
spring and summer the hens were al
lowed to run In the small back yard,
and roasted in an ordinary dry-goods
box which was placed under the back
porch. Small boxes were used for
nests.
Actual Results In Figures.
The original cost of the hens was
$3.50. Added to this is the cost of
feed, $7.01, making a total cost for
acquiring and maintaining the flock,
of $12.81. The returns from egg fig
ured on the basis of 40 cents q dozen,
which is very conservative, amounted
to $3.50. The two hens eaten were
the largest of the flock and averaged
at least five pounds in weight. At 80
cents a pound the value of these hens
amounted therefore to SO. Thus, the
total income from the flock was $31.50,
while the total expenses. were $12.81,
leaving a return over cost of fowls
and cost of feeding of $3.50. This
figure, however. does not take into ac-
court the value of the five hens on
hand. These would average at least
four pounds in weight, so that. at 80