xt7d251fkp1m https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7d251fkp1m/data/mets.xml   Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station.  journals kaes_circulars_004_560 English Lexington : The Service, 1913-1958. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 560 text Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 560  2014 true xt7d251fkp1m section xt7d251fkp1m A  IEE"?    I I I   ~   V  
yi}     . `   · Z .."r2T?Y»§ ·L' TE  ; :i.». ,:.   
r·;—;» {5  ( 4;      * ‘·’· ` {V   -2  
    ==- -‘ ‘’·= A         ;»A   `‘·V   
Q  ii ’    fg   ____._._,V..A   ``zii “ ’;· * · ;‘A   ~     “'2T i       
ns been  NI C     ~=»eV<-~-····e··     .. I --»v». , ._,,___   I I  
"‘2¤=¤§ _   mj;        " ‘‘··~·-* F   ..__ l F`;-·   f
>f high   °’®  n   ,._;     H *A'V I   A  ’ » I   ,
CIHSEI   , ..,._,, Q       __ _   CIRCULAR
nottled,   A_ FT" 2, f   · 1 ·  
'   —···   l_,‘ =» _`  ' ‘     ‘
WM I     QI,
runs of _ . ` ' V ‘  
as. It is  
in the
's shelf. I _
mes be  1
msider- I &”€¢d»;6¢ ‘
acilities   ?
ons me
hat the CAGE and FLOOR METHODS
  I
K B DONALD G. PARIS, WILMER BROWNING,
I Y
_ and J. E. HUMPHREY I
  E
I UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY I
 I COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
 ; Acnncuuunz AND Home ¤c0N0MIcs €
i
`       5:     U     ‘· " ;   iv  
  I`.           V -   ...=VV        
 V     ·  A`»S        Ti   I   I     .¤—»»     ?
A       EV: ‘   V‘A‘ I ..Ie   Ieee   _            
ni the Ace _· _     O  sr '  FF .   _°      l` ‘ I
G.5I-»>¤ _ " , "{  .     F`°  { ___» i_     Q? Iii       I  
I S;  E   V   {   V `I.~ E?    ‘
  "        »i.¢~  $2 >`   ·‘ { I     `FKQQ ~   J $5 . <;“__v_  
  ··V-Vv-»   _I   I        .I I»     e'    

 1
  as
b,
pc
tm
}Iu

  I O
y Comparing Cage ond Floor Methods of
' O
y Egg Production
 A By Donald G. Paris, Wilmer Browning, and James E. Humphreyl
- People who wish to enter the commercial egg-laying enterprise,
, as in any other enterprise, should consider the facts carefully. Some
· basic questions to ask themselves are these:
I PRODUCED THEM
BUT WHERE CAN I
‘ \SELL THEM? '
`\
&§`\"é
. ,,  
fw J,
IN  
K: — é?  l
_ I (/ZN JI?.  \'   E
..i *i 4 -_, .,, •·r_·*’:
Q   ,•·}!ZEiZi
I s   • E
  639
g G <`>
Cho {
Marketing is an essential part of suc-
cessful management in any enterprise. l
l. Is there a convenient and continuous market for eggs? '
; 2. Do I have an understanding of poultry management prac— I
tices, or am I willing to learn?
Fl. Do I have enough capital to sustain periods of low egg
prices? .
l
4. Do I have homegrown grain to feed or can I afford to buy .
_ feed?  
V 5. Is there enough family labor to handle the flock, or can l  
I afford to hire labor? l
A convenient market for eggs is important because eggs are a `
perishable product and must be used within a reasonable length
`  
_ 'lAssistant Economist in Agricultural Economies, Farm Manageinent Ex-
p tension Specialist in Agricultural Economics, and Extension Specialist in Poultry
i Husbandry, respectively.
3

   3
of time to preserve quality. A market that is highly seasonal is A
undesirable unless production can be adjusted satisfactorily. Com-
mercial egg-laying flocks are not concentrated in areas in Ken- .
tucky. This creates problems in marketing and in some instances s ·
results in higher feed costs. t
A producer, with an understanding of management practices.
will control diseases, feed for a high level of production, cull efIet= .
tively, and raise or buy good quality replacements.
l,ow—cost feed is important for profitable egg production be
cause feed makes up about (S5 percent of the total cost of produc
ing eggs. Homegrown feeds, properly balanced with protein sup-
plement, usually result in a lower cost feed.  
Available family labor and capital are two important factors l
to consider before starting a poultry enterprise. A farmer witlt l
limited capital and a considerable amount of family labor can
utilize more farm family labor in an egg enterprise than any other
livestock enterprise. Before investing in a poultry enterprise, tltt
farmer should consider the most prohtable use of this labor atttl M
capital. For example, will the returns to the available labor antl
capital be larger in some other use? I
TVhen a farmer decides there is a place for commercial egg
production in the farm business, two important questions gett-
erally arise: "Should I produce eggs by the cage method or by the T
floor method, and what size flock should I maintain?" The lol _
lowing questions point out factors that may help in decidiitu "
which method you will want to use. 3
0
INVESTMENTS, COSTS, AND RETURNS*
"What size flock can be started for the same capital A
investment in either methozl of egg producti0n?"
Approximately $7,()()() investment in buildings.
equipment and birds will start 1,000 layers in tht Q
cage method or l,55() layers in the floor method ttl
egg production. About $3,700 investment in bt1il· ')I`()(lll(Yl`,l()ll. Bllll(llIl0` costs ma var b tarea
tsonal IS °° . . P. . Y Y l
C of the state, causing the llllilal investment to vary-
y. 1()lll· _
in Km “What part of the original investment is in
USFHUW _ buildings and equipment for the cage
method of egg protluction?"
tractices.   . . . . . .
H H 1 Buildings comprise about 45 percent ot the Ol`1g1·
*1 G Cf, nal investment in a cage operation, and cages make-
_ I up about 20 percent of the investment. Birds make-
UOU lm lll) approximately the remaining 35 percent of the
l)YO(l“€‘ total investment. '
;ein sup-
 ° "What part of the original investment 1S ‘
K {Mum g in buildings and equipment for
. tl1e floor method?"
1er with -
bor can Buildings ?lIl(l equipment lll2ll(€ up about 50 per-
ny mlm- cent ol` tl1e original investment, a11d the remaining
MSG, thp  · 50 percent of l'll€ investment is in birds.
bor a111l _
I I . "Why is the floor method the !
Jor a11t .
L — most flex1ble?"  
_al W . .—\ greater part of the investment i11 tl1e cage
·c1 g, 1 . . . . . _ ¤
‘ 111etl1od IS 1n buildings and equipment. Cages
_ cr 11- . . 1
Om oi make up 20 percent of tl1e investment and l1ave- j
*1 l>Y   little use in other enterprises. I
The l<>·
clecidiut ’ “What are the xrobable net returns to labor
. l
V and management by the cage method I
of egg production?"
 . CASHIER . . . . .
- The rate ol- lay, price ol eggs, ZlIl(l ieed
- \ - >rices will vari tl1e Il(Tl l`Cllll`Il to labor ·
’   l . ¥
g _' ` 3ll(l lIlHll2lQ`CIllClll. By 11s111g a l0—year ’
. 1 ` -7-.*·` " ( ·r¤· ·» ` »·- —'».- ·' `..
uildmw , gt .g@ "1\ Cllilgt ol l`|l<)llll1ly cgg })l1(,(S 1t1th lcctl i
I   ll\(' 9/ ‘ at   (`\\ll·»   llcl l`C[lll`l]$ [_() l§]l)()]` X
`S . , . L
and 111a11a<1‘e111e11t lrom 500 layers varied 1
ethodwl _ at ( ” ,_ ( _ _
. · lrom $250 to $l.Zo0 as the avera<>‘e rate
in butlfl- \ . . . , , ”
  \ ol la varted il`(>lll 50 to 10 )Cl`(fCllL re-
layeis lll   . . l
_ mctlwd specuvely. l\et ret11r11s lro111 I000 layers
A varied I`rom $520 to $2,580 as the average
O
I] »C([:q1` p . _ ` j 2 Y ,_   ·_ r r-· _ V
twig; Am. (;,°d mnigemem Pays hIgh_ IHIL ol lty wnied l1 0111 .10 to /0 percent-
~ - er returns in either method of
**99 Production.

 6 .
"What are the probable net returns to labor and
management in the floor method?" "H·
F/—/-r-~/~- for
gl`/i)’P1EY CHICKEN FEED 3 l
E?
Using the 10-year average of monthly egg
‘ S · ,,4,;, prices and $4.00 cwt., for feed, the net
  ;  returns to managementhand laborfrom
_..¢ui. y] 750 layers varied from $400 to $1,660 as
“& average rate of lay varied from 50 to 70 _
hg   percent respectively. Returns from 1,550
  ·\ q=_, layers increased from $760 to $3,375 as
  \   average rate of lay varied from 50 to 70
.2    'i·:'j_I percent.
Poor management pays lower
returns in either method of
egg production.
"What does it cost to produce
‘ a dozen eggs?"
The cost per dozen eggs by the cage method, ex-
cluding labor costs, with feed at $4.00 cwt. ranged
from $0.27 to $0.36 as average rate of lay varied from ‘
70 to 50 percent respectively. The cost per dozen
by the floor method will be about the same at the
same levels of production. X/Vll€I"l labor costs are
excluded doubling the size of operation has little
influence on the cost per dozen eggs. \Vhen labor Hm
costs are included, however, the cost per dozen labc
eggs decreases as the size of operation increases in
both methods.
"H0w much labor is required for the cage
method of egg production?" “Wl
disti
A 500-bird cage unit will require about E500 hours
of labor annually for replacements and about 8011
hours annually for the laying flock. The 1,000-
bird operation will require about 450 hours an-
nually for replacements and 1,200 hours annually
for the laying flock.

 7
"H0w much labor is required
for the floor method?"
· . The 750—bird flock will require approximately 150
hours of labor annually for replacements and 1,100
3% hours annually for the laying flock. The 1,550-
net bird flock will require about 250 hours of labor
om annually for replacements and 1,600 hours an--
) as nually for the laying flock.
70
rr
.).lll Jos A ·
) HS M   E ·•=;• .-Z
, 70     .
~ `I.
. ll t\
u “ Joss
" it _=;:9
I \\ ':;:S:’ I/I/I
J°B ",-;l·=°=’ ”, Jour ¢‘*
6 ,:l*‘ ' it 40 .,r"
. &=#===“__—JOB7 9 *4
M ll `is 0 ,’¢ mane uus;E\
u tt s/Y”e* AN zrsisn tty
lf i\ ¢ _
" “‘ ¢;;l    Q/*$f';,,» I
I ‘/¢ 0 ` l
*.Y’ . h » \\ I
¢ ' ,4 I -
aged V il / @»
rom JOB 2 U ir  
J0s·s' was  .-'
oxen · i
thc Haphaxard work methods and inadequate equip-
N ment require more labor in either method of egg l
a" ·
production.
ittlc l
abor How does flock size affect
ozen labor income per hour?"
ts in The labor return >er hour increases as flock size
. 1 .
increases. Returns per hen remain constant and _.
l
the labor per hen decreases. ‘
l
“Which method has a more even  
distribution of labor?" E
tours _ _
. g()() llndcr the present system ol management, the cage
(mn. method will have a more even distribution ol
· K . .
S mt. labor. Replacements are brooded periodically and
ually {lock size remains the same. In the lloor method
additional labor is required lor replacements dur-
ing the brooding seasons.

 8
ra 4  
V { (fh,
--.   0
Jos 4 ‘~ 
0 w
” t
/0 s\ Jos 2
/ \
0 * ¢""
0 l * "~·»
xl \ ,” \§.10¤ n
I] `\ I §`
Jos,/’ \ /’ `~
5 I Q ¢ —\ ““
{ Jos s V curs sraps m
,, mtr- purs tow - iss
I, on wuzsts
u { me
ll
ll
nl ¢·
Il
u
u {-
Il
ll JOB 6
El`
~==:¢¤=:===- Joss
Jos 1
Planned work methods and adequate equipment “
requires less labor in either method of egg pro- W
duction. rep
orl
"H0w much operating capital is required
for the Floor method?"
Under the present system of management, oper- _
ating capital requirements with feed at $4.00 cm.
will average about $630 per month for 1,550 layers,
It will require about $315 operating capital per
month for 750 layers. These capital requiremeuls ‘
include expenses for feed, allowances for flock re
placements and miscellaneous expenses.
How much operating capital is **W]
required for the cage meth0d?" hui]
Under the present system oi? management, l,0U|l
layers will require about $500 operating capital
per month. A Hock of 500 will require about $250.
These requirements include feed, replaccmems y
and miscellaneous expenses. »

 9
y Which method has a more even distribution
I of operating capital requirements?"
 ‘ The cage method has a more even distribution of
` capital requirements because flock size remains the
. same, throughout the year and replacements are
brooded periodically.
"What kind of credit arrangement for feed
is suitable for the cage and floor
methods of egg production?"
Generally, feed will cost less if the farmer pays
I cash. If a cash discount would amount to more ·
· than the interest on borrowed money, it would be
profitable to borrow money and pay cash for the
feed. It is desirable to arrange payments to lag be-
e hind the egg check by a few days.
"What kind of credit arrangement for
replacements is suitable for the cage
~ or floor methods of egg production?"  
Capital borrowed to start and grow out replace- “
ments should usually be paid back in one to one I
l and one-half years. Cage operators have a definite I
OPC], advantage after the replacements system gets into i
l cm. operation, because replacements are added a few |
ayers. at a time and may be financed from the sale of eggs
I Pm. and cull hens. At the tnne replacements are usually I
mms  ; started for the floor method, seasonal egg prices are I
Sk YC, j the lowest and flock size has decreased. It is a good I
. idea to hold out enough money during high prices
» and production to use for growing replacements. I
"What is a suitable credit arrangement for  
Y buildings in the cage and floor meth0d?"  
1,000  I The length of loa11 and the repayment procedure I
apital · will vary with the capital position of the individual ·
$250. farmer. Farmers with limited capital n1ay need to
menus use part of the egg income for family living ex-
penses or for operating capital in other parts of
the farm business. The repayment schedule should
 , be flexible enough to take care of extremely had
c years.

 10  _
"How long will it take to repay a loan of
$4,500 for buildings and equipment “
for the cage method?" W
rep
A l,000—bird cage operation, with an average pro-
duction of 60 percent, $4.00 cwt. feed and 35-#10 ,
cents a dozen for eggs, will yield a net return tn y
management and labor of about Sl,600 per year.
ll? the farmer wants to pay $800 of the net returns
on the building it will take about fi to 7 years tn
repay the loan and interest.
"How long will it take to repay a loan of
$4,000 for building and equipment (KW
for the Hoor method?"
{loc
A 1,550-bird flock with an average production nl`
55 percent, $4.00 cwt. feed and 35-40 cents a dozen V
eggs will yield a net return to management and
- labor of about $1,350. lf the farmer wants to pay
$675 per year, it will take about fi to 7 years to re-
pay the loan and interest.
"What are some good sources of operating “W
credit for financing commercial A _
egg enterprises?"  _ Um
Private individuals, the Production Credit Assoeizr
tio11, and commercial banks are good sources nl
credit [or operating capital. ln some areas feed
dealers will furnish operating capital to fariners.
 
"What about sources of credit for investment ·  
in building and equipment?" yl
Farmers Home Administration, Farm Credit .-\’—%?—i'-*" .'··=> in about 10 percent production by this e mi!
g   time. Feed cost per pullet will be about 1
‘   $1.08 to $1.35 each, with $4.00 and $5.00
  per cwt. feed, respectively.
Wasted feed increases feed _ “H'
cost. Sta]
Can cage replacements be
raised on the range?"
* Yes, some producers have ranged replacements sal-
isfactorily in the warmer seasons of the year. A11
important thing to remember is to put birds on si
clean range.
1 "W
"What will it cost to produce . gm
replacement pullets?" ,
The cost of a 24—week-old pullet will
I range from $1.90 to $2.15, with feed at
$4.00 and $5.00 cwt., respectively. This .
includes the cost of a 60-cent day old
,,3% pullet, electricity, housing, mortality,
@:?,égZ and medical costs. The cost of produce T
I   ing a 24·week-old pullet will be about MW
J In _    the same for each method. Hired labor Of l
.:,4, ·s·¢••i•’ will result in a higher cash cost per pul .
` let for the cage method than for the floor
:_;°l*:Zce;;’r?°z":";”:;Tl::; method because more hours of labor mt
egg ,,,d,,¢,;,,,_ required per pullet. ·

  ( 13
 » "How much labor is required for
 . raising cage replacements?"
 1 Under the present system of management it re-
‘ quires about 300 hours of labor annually to raise
= 500 replacements and 450 hours annually to raise
uhm.  e 1,000 replacements.
feed ‘
gl] be "How much labor is required for
y this  { raising Hoor rep1acements?"
llmul lt requires about 150 hours of labor annually ·to _
$5*00 raise 750 replacements and 250 hours of labor an-
“ nually for 1,550 replacements. -
V "How often are cage replacements
 · started?"
1 l There are several factors to consider which will
affect the rate of pullet replacement: (1) rate of lay
of older hens, (2) number of pullet replacements
on hand, (3) age of older hens, (4) feed—egg price I
ts SM j ratio, and (5) season of the year. just how im-  
V- All portant each of these factors are will probably de- t
* On H . pend on individual conditions. |
"What are some advantages of buying i
_ grown pullets for rep1acements?" |
1 The main advantages of buying pullet replace-
t will 1 ments are:   pullets may be gotten as needed,
eed at avoiding over-stocking or under-stocking, (2) brood-
This , ing losses are eliminated,   requires less total I
ly Om ( labor and (4) lower investment in buildings and _
·t-ality, CQUIPIHCHK. ?
roduc  A  
about V “What are some disadvantages ;
labor  . of buying rep1acements?"  
if Pu]. The main disadvantages are: (1) the farm operator ·
E Hom 1 cannot utilize family labor for raising replace-
mr me ments, (2) may be difficult to arrange satisfactory
contract agreements, and  3) it offers a chance for
* disease to enter the flock.

 14 Y
HIS
CULLING in
“What is the culling 1rocedure of 1
D l ~
lll floor flocks?"
Birds are culled o11 physical characterietics. (leu-
erally tl1e need for or frequency of culling is tlc- .
termined by tl1e feed-egg price ratio. Tl1e lower
tl1e egg prices the l1ig11er the production required  ‘
to be profitable. .
"What is the basis of L aw
culling cage llocks?" qu:
Records are usually kept on each hen and birds are mf?
culled 011 tl1e basis of tl1e 1lLl1I11)(€l` ol? eggs laid i11 :1
certain period. Tl1e closeness of culling is de
termined by the lieed—egg price ratio. Birds can
also be culled by their general appearances. _
"H0w important is culling in either method .
. from the standpoint of costs?" “W
Culling is very important in increasing tl1e rate ol h be
lay. For example, 100 hens are laying 50 eggs pct by
day, the {Yeed cost per dozen eggs with $4-.00 ti\\‘l..
feed is about 22c per dozen. If these birds att
culled so they are laying at a rate of 65 eggs pct
day per 100 11ens, the feed cost per (l()ZC11 is re<111cc<|
to 18c.
U
"What mont11s are cull hens E W
usually lower in price?" :10
Hen prices are lowest i11 tl1e lall and early \\'ll1I(‘1` y Y
l11()l'1[l1S. Prices are usually l1ig11est i11 the spring  
111o11t11s. $
EGG GATHERING AND MARKETING “W
“How much nest space is required · egg
for floor birds?"
Tl1e IIIUSL connnon types of l1(fSl. space i11 use att ‘
tl1e rollaway nests and tl1e (j()l]1l11ll1ll[Y 11ests. Out ‘
te11—l1ole rollaway IICSI. will llSl12llly 21(TCOl11l]1()(l211l' ,
100 layers. A l1()I1l€—IIl2l(l(2 C(')IT1l11llI1llY nest can 110
built to accon1111odate 1`YOH1 25 to 50 layers.

 l l5
Q “Is mechanical egg gathering possible ~ · g.
i in the cage and floor methods _,
 . of egg pr0duction?"
 _ Some commercial concerns have developed an end-
(len- ” less belt for gathering cage eggs and eggs from
is dc- J rollaway types of nests. For such an innovation to T
lower be profitable, the value of labor saved and the
mired  ` increase in egg quality must be greater than the
added costs.
i "Will there be any difference in the interior ' .
  quality of eggs produced by either
tds M  ’ method of production?" ·
fl lll l ` As a rule, eggs produced by the cage method will
ls dv be of better quality than the average farm—run-egg.
ls Call I There is no significant difference in the quality of
eggs produced by either method if they are prop-
erly managed.
 s "Will eggs produced by the cage method 5
faic Ul 1 be cleaner than eggs produced !
jgs per T by the floor meth0d?"
glsugig a Eggs from a well—ventiIated cage house will be i
was per cleaner than from a floor house.   poorly venti- I
;lu<·c<|  ‘ lated cage house 1nay have more dirty eggs due to I
' dust collections on the egg trays. I
 , "Will eggs produced by the cage method have ,
l more blood spots than eggs produced I
_ . by the floor method?"
winner
Slmm The cages themselves do not cause blood spots. ;
I Blood spots are more often due to breeding.  
T "Will caged birds produce more cracked  
 ‘ eggs than floor birds?”  
The number of cracked eggs depends on breeding,
isc zur weather and feeding. There is probably no dif-
;, Out ference in the number of cracks produced from
iimlalv either method. More cracked eggs can be saved
can hc V by the cage method.

 16 A
"Will it be easier to sell small M
,, VN
eggs from the cage method? of _
Small eggs are not as much a problem in caged _
birds because they are produced all through the _
year. Smaller eggs are easier to move this way than
when they all come at one time, such as in the floor ·
method.
"What months are egg prices
usually the highest?"
Egg prices are usually highest in the fall and early 3;
winter months.
HOUSING
“VVhat is the usual size
cage house?"
Most cage houses are 24 feet in width and 40 feel
in length for each 250 birds, or 24’ x l60' for l,0(lH ·
_ cages, or 24’ x 80' for 504 cages. This allows about ·
3.8 square feet of floor space per cage.
"What is the usual construction
of cage h0uses?" ~ ¤·H,
Siding—¥Vood siding is usually used in Keirtueky. · Sho
Some houses are constructed with metal.
Roof-The expensive feature of the cage house is g
truss—supported roof. A truss roof eliminates the y
need for poles, which obstruct the hanging of cages.
Cages—The cages are suspended on wires from thc r r.H(
truss-supported roof. They are usually hung in he 2
three double rows. A double row consists of single
cages back to back. Z
Ventilation—Ventilation is taken care of by cnn-
tinuous rows of windows near the top and bomnn
of the sides. Exhaust fans may also be used. “(ga
User
"What is the usual size house
for floor birds?" l
The usual house for the floor bird is 30 to 10 levi j
in width and long enough to provide 5% sqnznc
feet of floor space per bird.

 17
1 "What is the usual construction
· of floor Hock houses?"
caged V . . . .
_h lihc S1d1l'lg—\’VO()(l 1S usually used for floor flock ho11ses.
' than  ` Metal siding can be used. Ro0f—The floor bird
Y H( 0] house is usually a gable roof pole—type structure.
e > · . . .- . . .
. V€H{l1H[1OH—\/€l1[1l21[1011 usually 1S accomplished
by windows located along the walls. Exhaust fans
1nay be 11sed.
1 Can barns, cribs, or other buildings be ·
1 Cmll . used for cage or floor birds?"
 j Yes, old barns or other buildings make adequate
housing for cage or lloor birds. Such buildings
_ should be in good repair, have adequate ve11tila—
 V tion, and be free of rodents. Frequently, building
40 iw costs can be reduced considerably by using other
V LOW t buildings that have no other uses.
L 2ll)OlIl
!
FEEDING AND WATERING l
"How much feeder space l
  i should be allowed per 100 birds?" {
itutli.
_ i Light breed layers should have about 40 l1l1€2l1` feet l
(msc '” of feeder space per 100 birds. Certain types of
FCS lllf automatic feeders will require less space per bird.
if cages.
| > { .
Om if “How much watering space should
· ll ` .
ullg I lie allowed per 100 b1rds?”
f stuglc y
About 6 feet of watering space is 11€€(l€(l per 100 ,
by cou-  Q birds with automatic waterers.  
bottout  _ E
. “Can mechanical feeders be l
» used in cages?" `
i Yes, tnechanical feeders can be 11sed with cages.
40 [(...1 Mechanical feeders will be prolitable if the Z1l11()ll11l`
$(1uw i of labor saved is valued at more lllklll the added
- cost;.

 is  I
"Is it possible to feed grain and T·
mash to caged birds?" bi
Yes, some producers have fed a mixture of grain
and mash. The important thing to remember is
to get the proper balance of proteins, vitamins and
minerals.
· UI"
“Can a farmer mix his own rations . ZH
for cage or floor birds?"
Commercial protein concentrates are now available
to farmers. These concentrates, along with coin
mercial vitamins and antibiotics, make it possible L
for the enterprising farmer to use his home grown
grains and make a low cost feed.
"What is meant by peck order?"
Hen flocks seem to form a society where each hen
· is on a different rung of the social ladder. Each hen
rules all the hens on the ladder below her. Hens
on the higher part of the ladder get feed and water
first. This can be controlled in cages.
PARASITES AND DISEASES
"To what types of parasites are
caged birds most susceptible?"
Caged birds are susceptible to lice, mites, cot-
cidiosis, and tape worms.
"To what types of parasites are
floor birds susceptible?" y
ln addition to round worms, floor birds are sn _
sceptible to the same parasites as caged birds.
“To what types of diseases are caged
birds most susceptible?" .
Cage birds are susceptible to such diseases as new
castle, pullorum, bronchitis, fowl pox, chroml
respiratory diseases, and leukosis or range paralysn

 L 19
To what type of diseases are floor
, birds most susceptible?"
Umm ‘ Floor birds are susceptible to the same diseases as
ix is I caged birds, in addition to blackhead, cholera, and
ls and  r limberneck.
"Is the mortality rate lower
among caged birds?"
, Yes, the mortality rate is lower under good man-
Lilablc agement because birds can be culled when their ·
com- i production drops off before advance symptoms of
Jssiblc . disease show. Without culling there probably `
grown would be no difference in the mortality rate. The
D cage producer decreases the mortality cost.
ih hen
ch hen ,
Hens l
l water U
i
cs, cor- ' I
é
!
are su·  
is. g E
HS l1€\x‘-
chromi `
2l1`2liY$ll~ l

 %€2§z§=§2Q2_2§2§§§.
§:Q:;;,~ :—:;:-xg;
‘?:7:?:Q:§1';Qi¥.Qff
?E?€?€§$§CQ"j.r:E§?
 -;:  "
#_J.-.... ·2§2§z§% f ;’
Lvxingtun, Ky. _l\\¤¤’ wl  
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics: College of Agriculturi   ; ·-._ .
and Home Economics, University of Kentucky, and the United States Department vi ;2;:;:;_ ‘_‘_ Q
Agriculture, cooperating. Frank J. Welch, Director. Issued in furtherance of the r\Fl*  ;E;;;:_:j-  
of May 3 and June 30, 1914. F 8 liv  Z;Z2Q;Z; 3.;.,:
)-5 -·l·)·