broiler production has been a part-time or supplementary enterprise on many Georgia farms. One or more members of the family may be employed off the farm or engaged in other farming enterprises. Economists estimate that fully-automated houses have labor requirements of approximately 4 to 6 minutes per day per 1,000 broilers. Typically, more time is required during early stages of the growout period; less time is required as birds get older. The time investment, however, may increase as the birds exceed 6 weeks of age with flocks experiencing a high rate of mortality. A family unit on a full-time basis is generally considered to be approximately 120,000 birds (6 houses). Recently, a trend toward larger operations that require full-time employment has been noted.