The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-16

The value of small flock of laying hens on town or village lot or in a city back yard should not be underes- timated. 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 moltinS period of the fall and early winter. The product of such flock. both in the farm of eggs and fowls for the table, may be produced at a relatively low cost, because of the possibility of util izing table scraps and kithen waste which would otherwise be thrown away
 So many records of back yard flocks have shown profit that there can be no question but what back yard poul try keeping is profitable under the proper conditions. The record of C small flock kept in Washington dur ing the past year throws 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 $5.S0. This flock was carried 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 IS. the day on WHICH IHe last egg WAS produced.
 CAUSES TO SUCCESS
 Two things should be kept in mind fin 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 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. 21 February, 74; March. 132 April 12o; May, 40; June, 11z; July. 107 August, 10S; September, 43. This gives the total eggs produc- tion of S57. or 71 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 1, 1915 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 dor which allowed the hens to get out doors during the bright days On the rest of the winter days they were con- fined to the cellar. During the spring and summer the hens were alloked to run in the small back yard, and roasted in an ordinary dry goods box which was placed -snder the back porch. Small oXes were used for nests.
 ACTUAL RESULTS IN CURES
 The original cost of the hens was $5.SO Added to this is the cost of feed, S!.01, making a total cost for acquir- ing and maintaining the flock. of $12.SL The returns from eggs. figured on the basis of 40 cents a dozen, which is very conservative, amounted to s2S.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, there- fore, to $3. Thus, the total income from the flock was $21.50, while the total expenses were Sl2.S1, leaving a return over cost of fowls and cost of feeding of s1S,69. This figure, however does not take into account the value of the five hens on hand. These would average at least four pounds in weight so that, at 30 cents a pound, each hen would be worth s1.30. This would add to the credit balance $6. and woul