Problems and practices of the commercial egg producers of Cleveland County

Abstract

Statement of Problem: To investigate and evaluate the problems and practices of the commercial egg producers of Cleveland County and especially the Norman area. To assist producers in making adjustments where necessary.

Method and Procedure: A study of the situation was made from January, 1960 to August, 1960. Visits to poultry establishments were made and information was collected by personal interview method.

Findings: The three types of poultry operations with 200 birds or more in the county were investigated. They are the Individual Cage, the Colony Cage, and the Floor Plan type of operation. The initial cost of getting started seems to have a direct bearing on the type of system a producer will employ. The average cost of the individual cage system is approximately $6.00 per bird housed, the colony cage system approximately $4.00 per bird housed, and the floor plan cost is approximately $3.00-$3.50 per bird housed. There has been an increase in the number of commercial operations in the county the past ten years but an overall decrease in total number of hens on farms. Flock size ranged from 200 to 4000 birds. The most popular system of management at the present time seems to be the floor plan. The average number of years in the commercial egg business per farmer interviewed was 4.35 years. Market conditions were also investigated, and because of our location, are ideal. Producers have no trouble selling their product either in Norman or Oklahoma City.