Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-06-03
KeepinS Boarder Hens.

But few people appreciate the value
of genuine bred-to-lsy stock. We have
been hearing for some time that the
average layer was kept at loss. James
Dryden, dean of Investigators and in-
structors in poultry husbandry Of North
America made the astonishing statement
that on the basis of an average egg yield
iu the United States of S5 eggs per hen
this country alone would have lost over
SIC, ,O00, 900 in 1917 II all feed given to
hens had been paid for at current mar
ket prices.
Prof. Dryden further made careful
estimate of feed costs and prices of eggs
each month and found that it took 81
eggs to pay cost of feed for hen year
at 1867 prices, against her u eggs at
1855 prices for feed and eggs. But the
lS0- egg hen at 1867 prices gave profit
over feed costs Of 81 81 against $2.47 at
1915 6 prices.
It seems to me that Prof. Dryden's
figures are not far from the estimate last
winter OF the manager OF one OF the
largest plants In New England, with IN
average of 120 eggs per hen the poultry
man Just about made expenses. And bis
vi lnOOE nnu ONoAoOe4 WeS ~
low ss TO show very good management.
A writer In the Poultry Item recently
put IL in this striking way-l quote from
memory: Figuring only feed costs and
taking Prof. Dryden's estimate of 81
cents feed cost per hen, the hen that lays
81 eggs gives no profit. The ben that
laws eS eggs gives one egg profit. The
hen that lays 120 eggs gives 23 eggs
profit. Therefore, a. far as egg produo-
tion Is concerned one hen that lays 120
eggs is worth as much as % hens that
Law 9S eggs each. On the same basis the
hen that lays $50 eggs would be worth
as much for egg production as 53 OF the
SO egg hens" Rather atsrtling, amt
it?"
We come to this: Poultrymen and
farmers who haven't good layers are
working for nothing, II not an actual
lose. That this is not necessary Is
shown by the Storrs contest records.
But one pen In 100 averaged less tnan
100 eggs per hen, and that pen almost
reached it. There were but hve other
hens that did NOT pass ,120 each. Ine
average for the 1000 hens was about loO.
Some people give expert care the
credit for the high laying at the con-
tests. OF course, that 10 necessary TO
secure the very best results, but If they
win compare the record Of the highest
pen. 1852 eggs, with the lowest Of about
1000 eggs, they must realize that careful
breeding 10 necessary as we'll as proper
feeding and good care. II they VIII
follow the contest records they Will also
see that with proper breeding and care
it is possible to have eggs IL months In
the year. ~
when hear about 80 or 100 hens and
"not an egg for three month";" always
feel like saying: You had better sell
those hens and get better stock or give
up keeping any. realize ehat IN ouy-
ing bred-to:lay stock the buyer must
depend entirely on the knowledge ano
honesty of the breeder. But there are
now enough fiocks OF good layers TO
make IL possible for the bnyer to investi.
cate one or two without great outlay OF
time or money, and 1t will pay him well
TO do 20.
And when q breeder Is found, who
throuph Years of work and outlay, has
mill 1p = strain OF profit-making birds,
don't expect his best for about market
nrice. And dou't expect Matching eggs
and baby chicks for the prices charged
by hatchories that buy most OF their
eggs at q relatively low price. And
v6eu you have stock worth keeping give
II proper care. And finally kesp records
that viii show whatresults you ere get
tius. Don't guess-know. Present con-
ditious demand efficiency everywhere;
feel like adding especially in poultry
keeping. IL. @. Galbraith In New Eng
land Homestead.