Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1887 — POULTRY-RAISING. [ARTICLE]

POULTRY-RAISING.

Froftts on Arlificinl PoultryJames Rankin, of Bristol Couniy, Mass., inventor of the Monarch incubator, and a practical poultry-raiser of some twenty years’ experience, said in his address before the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture; “Theie is absolutely nothing within the possibilities of farm industry that is capable of making so rich returns as poultry growing when artificially conducted.” From his own experience in artificial poultry-raising, Mr. Rankin declares that a yearly profit of 100 per cent, can be made on all capital invested in buildings, machinery, Stock, etc. Here is his account for the year ending Sept. 1, 1883: Stock on hand September 1, 1882— 314 pullets at 51.25 each 292 50 Supplies andffood of all kinds 754 31 Ninety-five gallons of oil 7 GO Total expenses ~........... §1,154 41 Stock on hand September 1, 1883— .634.-puUati.mid-xlfiekoiis » vrX'V* r vs- iA- 535-50 1,616 dozen eggs sold 533 28 302 hens sold 314 75 1,434 chickens 501 d... 1,400 01 Total receipt 5.................... . ..$2,783 54 This shows a clear profit of $5.20 per head on the stock, fowls. No account is made of the work of caring for the fowls and chicks; that is offset against the poultry manure, which does not appear on -the credit side. Incredible as it may seem to those who do not know how thoroughly the work in such poultry establishments is systematized, Mr. Rankin did all the work connected with the care of this poultry, while his farm hands were doing the feeding of the stock in the barn, and milking. Mr. Rankin cared for the chick, attended the incubators, and was ready to take his place in the field at 7 o’clock. With the exception of a half hour or so in the middle of each forenoon aud afternoon he held his own-in tha held with the others. Mr. Rankin gave the following figures concerning his duck business for the year 1885. Stock on hand January 1,1885: ...42,duftk8,aiid ttookua J>3„ 00... Feed consumed. 334 52 68 gals oil at 81-2 c j>er gal 578 Total expense .$403 30 Stock on hand December 1, 1885: 206dueks nnd drakea atsl.so each..... $ 309 00 Ducks sold .............. 1,503 71 72 dozen eggs sold ...... 61 00 120 lbs feathers sold at 50c per 1b...... „ 60 50 Total receipts. ...$1,934 21 Net profit $1,530 91 A profit'of almost $44 for each duck. No, he didn't “reckon in” anything for labor, but allow for labor $1 a day for the whole time, and thus will be left a profit of over $1,01)0 —more than many farmers make from their whole farins. As soon as circumstances will permit, I shall visit Mr. Rankin’s place, in search of “further particulars,” and will report results. j