Dublin Core
Title
Kramer's Chick Hatchery, feedbag
Subject
Agribusiness
Description
Waukesha was once home to Wisconsin’s state chick hatchery. Brothers, Frank and Herbert Kramer began raising chicks as young men, when their father served as superintendent of the Hoard’s Dairyman experimental farm in Fort Atkinson.
Relocating to Waukesha, the brothers opened a 20,000 egg hatchery on Madison St. in 1922. In 1926 the hatchery found a permanent home at Summit and Hine Avenues, with a capacity of 275,000. By the mid-1950’s, the hatchery produced 600,000 chicks.
The business began as a mail order, but during and after WWII, most customers came to Waukesha to pick up their chicks. The hatchery used incubation and hatching units, turning eggs hourly and heating newborn chicks as a mother hen would. Seasonal employees were needed during peak times, and many young men and students from the Eureka Heights neighborhood found part time work at the hatchery. In addition to chicks, the company also supplied poultry food in hanging bags like the one displayed here.
Donor: Kramer's State Hatchery
Adopt an Artifact Sponsor: Wendy & Jacob Fluckiger
Relocating to Waukesha, the brothers opened a 20,000 egg hatchery on Madison St. in 1922. In 1926 the hatchery found a permanent home at Summit and Hine Avenues, with a capacity of 275,000. By the mid-1950’s, the hatchery produced 600,000 chicks.
The business began as a mail order, but during and after WWII, most customers came to Waukesha to pick up their chicks. The hatchery used incubation and hatching units, turning eggs hourly and heating newborn chicks as a mother hen would. Seasonal employees were needed during peak times, and many young men and students from the Eureka Heights neighborhood found part time work at the hatchery. In addition to chicks, the company also supplied poultry food in hanging bags like the one displayed here.
Donor: Kramer's State Hatchery
Adopt an Artifact Sponsor: Wendy & Jacob Fluckiger
Creator
Kramer's Wisconsin State Hatchery
Publisher
Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum
Date
1930-1940
Rights
Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum