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Show Egg Profits Down During Hot Months Poultrymen Recommend Close Culling of Flock On the aVerige, poultrymen fail to realize a profit above feed costs during July, August and September because of low egg production per hen. For example, during this period pe-riod in 1949, the average monthly production per hen for the United States was 13.2 eggs. As a rule, poultrymen who maintain an aver- Poor layers and culls show little activity and are often found on the roost during the day. age egg production per month of 15 or more eggs during this period, realize a profit. When the profit margin gets slim, it's poor business to cut down on the laying mash, or take it away entirely, en-tirely, with the expectation of bringing bring-ing the hens back into production later when egg prices pick up. The solution to the problem of increasing increas-ing profits requires close culling of flocks. Get rid of the "boarders". Poor layers, as well as non-layers, can be spotted by certain physical phy-sical characteristics, such as "crow heads," pale, shriveled, scaly combs, yellow beaks, yellow legs and clean feathers. A good layer will have large red comb and wattles; wat-tles; an enlarged, smooth, moist vent; and well spread, pliable - pin bones. Poultrymen who start culling now will increase profits. Cull often and closely and sell the culls while they still have good body weight. Then feed the remainder of the flock a good laying ration. |