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Cost of Raising Pedigreed Pullets and Cockerels*
COST OF RAISING PEDIGREED PULLETS AND COCKERELS* B r F . A. HAYS AND J. W. LOCKE
* Contribution No. 118 from the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station. 178
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Georgia on June 12, 2015
(Received for Publication 1-31-31) Records on the costs involved in raising pedigreed pullets and cockerels to an age approximating sexual maturity are not abundant but they are necessary in carrying on the business and in arriving at profitable sale prices on stock produced. There are two general methods made use of in securing cost figures. The first method involves the production of pedigreed eggs on the farm and the hatching of these and rearing of the chicks. The second method consists in buying pedigreed eggs so marked that the pedigrees of chicks hatched may be completed for a number of generations. Both methods are satisfactory but the second is somewhat less involved provided a satisfactory value for the hatching eggs can be arrived at. In the studies here reported, the standard selling price of highclass pedigreed eggs from disease-free trapnested flocks in Massachusetts is employed. Eggs were set at weekly intervals from March 1, 1930 to April 19, 1930. Eight hatches were produced from March 23 to May 11. The chicks were taken from the incubator on the 22d day each week and placed in stove heated, 10 x 12 portable brooder houses, about 225 chicks per house. The houses were distributed over an 8 acre tract of grassland that was used in a four-year rotation. Chicks were fed according to the recommendations of the New England Conference using hoppers for both grain and mash. All chicks were given access to the outdoors from the fourth day on. No cod liver oil was fed to the chicks. Each bird received a permanent band when taken from the incubator and records made to include the pedigree of the chick. Complete mortality records were kept on all chicks. Sexes were separated at ten weeks of age. All feed and labor items were recorded throughout the period from March 1 to September 25. The following is a complete statement of costs:
COST OF RAISING
CHICKS
1. 5534 eggs set @ 50c
$2767.00
2. Coal for incubator 2% tons
38.50
3. Kerosene for incubators 35 gallons
4.67 120.50
5. Special work in pedigree hatching—112 hours @ 50c__
56.00
6. Coal on range 6 tons
94.50
7. Feed and litter for chicks to June 24th Chicks 70 days of age Grain 11800 lbs $302.15 Mash 12697 " 389.97 Shell & Grit 700 " 7.43 Litter (Shavings) 47 bales __ 26.11
8. Chicks placed on range: March 24 358 31 386 April 7 418 14 499 21 467
' to Sept. 25th ; Chicks 162 days of age 32567 lbs $806.23 24112 " 701.17 1500 " 16.81 , 93 bales __ 51.64 $1575.85
$725.66
April 28 May £>— 12
416 410 220 3174
9. Labor caring for chicks: Chicks 70 days of age Chicks 162 days of age 2531/2 hrs. @ 50c_$126.75 ,3811/2 hrs. @ 50c_$190.75 876 " @ 36c_ 315.25 1715 .. " @ 36c- 617.50 Trucking 3 " @ $1.50 4.50 10 " @$1.50 15.00
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Georgia on June 12, 2015
4. Labor caring for incubators 241 hrs. @ 50c
Totals
179
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10. Fixed Charges Interest on Equipment: $3,000 @ 6%__$180.00 Depreciation @ 10% 300.00 Insurance @ $1.24 37.20 Taxes @ $28 on 75% valuation 63.00 Land Rent 40.00 $620.20
11. Broilers Sold (Credit) June 11— 72 wt. 171i/2 lbs " 24— 83 " 164 " July 8—204 " 4803,4 " " 24— 85 " 167 " 12. Cockerels raised
$ 49.81 41.00 111.89 35.28
807
13. Pullets raised
1294
14. Total Cost of birds
to 70 days 2656—$4607.33 $1.73 per bird
15. Total per cent decrease to 10 weeks Loss from disease Missing Total per cent decrease to 162 days Loss from disease Missing
to 162 days 2101—$5862.49 $2.79 per bird 16.32 4.22 12.10 19.82 6.65 13.17
COST OP HATCHING EGGS
Item number 1 states that the pedigreed hatching eggs cost $2767. From the 5534 eggs set 3174 chicks were hatched as item 8 shows. Thus the hatching egg charge per chick was 87.17 cents and for chick raised to 162 days of age $1.3168. Such charges for hatching eggs apply only to very high grade pedigreed eggs from trapnested and disease-free flocks. INCUBATION COSTS
The records show that the cost of fuel to operate one 2500 capacity hot water incubator and three 360-egg kerosene machines was $43.17 or 1.36 cents for each chick hatched or 2.05
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Georgia on June 12, 2015
Total
COST OF RAISING
CHICKS
181
cents for each bird raised to 162 days of age. The total labor required to operate the incubators and to pedigree the chicks was 353 hours costing $176.50. Bach chick hatched required 6.67 minutes of labor costing 5.56 cents and each chick raised to sexual maturity required 10.08 minutes of labor during incubation costing 8.4 cents.
FEED AND LITTER COSTS
As item number 7, are recorded the consumption of grain, mash and shell and grit together with litter used to an age of 70 days as well as to the age of 162 days. For the first ten weeks the consumption of grain and mash was almost equal and the total was 9.22 pounds per chick. The cost of grain and mash per bird to ten weeks was 26.05 cents. The records show that the birds carried to the age of 162 days consumed 74.04 per cent mash to 100 per cent grain. A total of 26.98 pounds of grain and mash was required, costing 71.75 cents per bird. By adding the shell and grit and litter costs to 71.75 cents the entire cost figure of 75.0 cents for item 7 is obtained. LABOR ON CHICK RANGE
The labor in caring for the chicks was done in part by a foreman and by one man who occupied quarters on the range and devoted his entire time to the care of the chicks. Up to ten weeks of age .43 hours time was spent in caring for each chick at a cost of 16.81 cents. At the age of 162 days, one hour had been spent on each bird at a cost of 39.18 cents. FIXED CHARGES
The fixed charges listed as item 10 include: Interest on equipment valued at $3,000 @ 6 per cent, depreciation on equipment at 10 per cent, insurance on equipment at $1.24 per hundred, taxes on three-fourths value @ $28 per thousand and rent on eight acres of land @ $5. Pour-sevenths of these charges are distributed at ten weeks because the time up to June 24 includes 4/7 of the period covered. The entire fixed charge is used
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Georgia on June 12, 2015
FUEL, COST IN BROODING
Six tons of coal were used in brooding the chicks. The total cost was $94.50 or 4.5 cents for each pullet or cockerel raised to 162 days of age.
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at the close of the period because the equipment is used but once during the year. The fixed charge per bird at the age of 162 days is 29.52 cents. CREDIT ON BROILERS SOLD
TOTAL COST TO PRODUCE BIRDS
In these studies all items of expense are listed except interest on working capital of which about $5000 was required for seven months. Charging 6 per cent interest on this amount for seven months adds $175.00 to the cost at 162 days or about 8.33 cents per bird. The cost of hatching-eggs makes up about 47 per cent of the total cost at 162 days, feed and litter about 27 per cent, labor earing for chicks 14 per cent and fixed charges about 10 per cent. All other cost items thus represent from 2 to 3 per cent of the total cost. The total cost of producing a pedigreed chick 70 days of age is $1.73 and the total cost of producing a pullet or cockerel 162 days of age, including interest on working capital is $2.87. The total per cent decrease in number of chicks at ten weeks was 16.32 but the actual loss from disease was 4.22 per cent. There was a decrease of 19.82 per cent at 162 days with a loss from disease of 6.65 per cent. These studies clearly indicate where the heaviest items of expense lie. Losses from disease were very light, but the disappearance of 13 per cent of the chicks due to predatory animals and hawks should be.controlled. The expense might also be reduced by more efficient use of labor.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Georgia on June 12, 2015
There is a credit of $237.98 on a small number of cockerels sold as broilers when ten weeks of age. This credit amounts to 11.33 cents on each bird and is deducted from the total cost of carrying the pullets and cockerels to 162 days of age.
* Contribution No. 118 from the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station. 178
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Georgia on June 12, 2015
(Received for Publication 1-31-31) Records on the costs involved in raising pedigreed pullets and cockerels to an age approximating sexual maturity are not abundant but they are necessary in carrying on the business and in arriving at profitable sale prices on stock produced. There are two general methods made use of in securing cost figures. The first method involves the production of pedigreed eggs on the farm and the hatching of these and rearing of the chicks. The second method consists in buying pedigreed eggs so marked that the pedigrees of chicks hatched may be completed for a number of generations. Both methods are satisfactory but the second is somewhat less involved provided a satisfactory value for the hatching eggs can be arrived at. In the studies here reported, the standard selling price of highclass pedigreed eggs from disease-free trapnested flocks in Massachusetts is employed. Eggs were set at weekly intervals from March 1, 1930 to April 19, 1930. Eight hatches were produced from March 23 to May 11. The chicks were taken from the incubator on the 22d day each week and placed in stove heated, 10 x 12 portable brooder houses, about 225 chicks per house. The houses were distributed over an 8 acre tract of grassland that was used in a four-year rotation. Chicks were fed according to the recommendations of the New England Conference using hoppers for both grain and mash. All chicks were given access to the outdoors from the fourth day on. No cod liver oil was fed to the chicks. Each bird received a permanent band when taken from the incubator and records made to include the pedigree of the chick. Complete mortality records were kept on all chicks. Sexes were separated at ten weeks of age. All feed and labor items were recorded throughout the period from March 1 to September 25. The following is a complete statement of costs:
COST OF RAISING
CHICKS
1. 5534 eggs set @ 50c
$2767.00
2. Coal for incubator 2% tons
38.50
3. Kerosene for incubators 35 gallons
4.67 120.50
5. Special work in pedigree hatching—112 hours @ 50c__
56.00
6. Coal on range 6 tons
94.50
7. Feed and litter for chicks to June 24th Chicks 70 days of age Grain 11800 lbs $302.15 Mash 12697 " 389.97 Shell & Grit 700 " 7.43 Litter (Shavings) 47 bales __ 26.11
8. Chicks placed on range: March 24 358 31 386 April 7 418 14 499 21 467
' to Sept. 25th ; Chicks 162 days of age 32567 lbs $806.23 24112 " 701.17 1500 " 16.81 , 93 bales __ 51.64 $1575.85
$725.66
April 28 May £>— 12
416 410 220 3174
9. Labor caring for chicks: Chicks 70 days of age Chicks 162 days of age 2531/2 hrs. @ 50c_$126.75 ,3811/2 hrs. @ 50c_$190.75 876 " @ 36c_ 315.25 1715 .. " @ 36c- 617.50 Trucking 3 " @ $1.50 4.50 10 " @$1.50 15.00
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Georgia on June 12, 2015
4. Labor caring for incubators 241 hrs. @ 50c
Totals
179
180
POULTRY
SCIENCE
10. Fixed Charges Interest on Equipment: $3,000 @ 6%__$180.00 Depreciation @ 10% 300.00 Insurance @ $1.24 37.20 Taxes @ $28 on 75% valuation 63.00 Land Rent 40.00 $620.20
11. Broilers Sold (Credit) June 11— 72 wt. 171i/2 lbs " 24— 83 " 164 " July 8—204 " 4803,4 " " 24— 85 " 167 " 12. Cockerels raised
$ 49.81 41.00 111.89 35.28
807
13. Pullets raised
1294
14. Total Cost of birds
to 70 days 2656—$4607.33 $1.73 per bird
15. Total per cent decrease to 10 weeks Loss from disease Missing Total per cent decrease to 162 days Loss from disease Missing
to 162 days 2101—$5862.49 $2.79 per bird 16.32 4.22 12.10 19.82 6.65 13.17
COST OP HATCHING EGGS
Item number 1 states that the pedigreed hatching eggs cost $2767. From the 5534 eggs set 3174 chicks were hatched as item 8 shows. Thus the hatching egg charge per chick was 87.17 cents and for chick raised to 162 days of age $1.3168. Such charges for hatching eggs apply only to very high grade pedigreed eggs from trapnested and disease-free flocks. INCUBATION COSTS
The records show that the cost of fuel to operate one 2500 capacity hot water incubator and three 360-egg kerosene machines was $43.17 or 1.36 cents for each chick hatched or 2.05
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Georgia on June 12, 2015
Total
COST OF RAISING
CHICKS
181
cents for each bird raised to 162 days of age. The total labor required to operate the incubators and to pedigree the chicks was 353 hours costing $176.50. Bach chick hatched required 6.67 minutes of labor costing 5.56 cents and each chick raised to sexual maturity required 10.08 minutes of labor during incubation costing 8.4 cents.
FEED AND LITTER COSTS
As item number 7, are recorded the consumption of grain, mash and shell and grit together with litter used to an age of 70 days as well as to the age of 162 days. For the first ten weeks the consumption of grain and mash was almost equal and the total was 9.22 pounds per chick. The cost of grain and mash per bird to ten weeks was 26.05 cents. The records show that the birds carried to the age of 162 days consumed 74.04 per cent mash to 100 per cent grain. A total of 26.98 pounds of grain and mash was required, costing 71.75 cents per bird. By adding the shell and grit and litter costs to 71.75 cents the entire cost figure of 75.0 cents for item 7 is obtained. LABOR ON CHICK RANGE
The labor in caring for the chicks was done in part by a foreman and by one man who occupied quarters on the range and devoted his entire time to the care of the chicks. Up to ten weeks of age .43 hours time was spent in caring for each chick at a cost of 16.81 cents. At the age of 162 days, one hour had been spent on each bird at a cost of 39.18 cents. FIXED CHARGES
The fixed charges listed as item 10 include: Interest on equipment valued at $3,000 @ 6 per cent, depreciation on equipment at 10 per cent, insurance on equipment at $1.24 per hundred, taxes on three-fourths value @ $28 per thousand and rent on eight acres of land @ $5. Pour-sevenths of these charges are distributed at ten weeks because the time up to June 24 includes 4/7 of the period covered. The entire fixed charge is used
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Georgia on June 12, 2015
FUEL, COST IN BROODING
Six tons of coal were used in brooding the chicks. The total cost was $94.50 or 4.5 cents for each pullet or cockerel raised to 162 days of age.
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SCIENCE
at the close of the period because the equipment is used but once during the year. The fixed charge per bird at the age of 162 days is 29.52 cents. CREDIT ON BROILERS SOLD
TOTAL COST TO PRODUCE BIRDS
In these studies all items of expense are listed except interest on working capital of which about $5000 was required for seven months. Charging 6 per cent interest on this amount for seven months adds $175.00 to the cost at 162 days or about 8.33 cents per bird. The cost of hatching-eggs makes up about 47 per cent of the total cost at 162 days, feed and litter about 27 per cent, labor earing for chicks 14 per cent and fixed charges about 10 per cent. All other cost items thus represent from 2 to 3 per cent of the total cost. The total cost of producing a pedigreed chick 70 days of age is $1.73 and the total cost of producing a pullet or cockerel 162 days of age, including interest on working capital is $2.87. The total per cent decrease in number of chicks at ten weeks was 16.32 but the actual loss from disease was 4.22 per cent. There was a decrease of 19.82 per cent at 162 days with a loss from disease of 6.65 per cent. These studies clearly indicate where the heaviest items of expense lie. Losses from disease were very light, but the disappearance of 13 per cent of the chicks due to predatory animals and hawks should be.controlled. The expense might also be reduced by more efficient use of labor.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Georgia on June 12, 2015
There is a credit of $237.98 on a small number of cockerels sold as broilers when ten weeks of age. This credit amounts to 11.33 cents on each bird and is deducted from the total cost of carrying the pullets and cockerels to 162 days of age.