Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1879-03-13

water vessel, and a shallow, broad dust-box
for them to roll themselves in when limited
! to close quarters. Any man who can use
| saw and hammer can put these convenences
! up appropriately and with but very little
trouble.
For the heavier and larger classes of fowls,
such as Brahmas, Cochins and Dorkings,
the roosts should be set low down, as well
as the range OF nest-boxes also, in order
that, in ascending or descending, these clum-
sy birds may not be injured by coming in
contact with the ground suddenly, which is
always dangerous.
The dusting box should be filled with fine
ashes and dry sand (or road sweepings), in
to which pound or two of flour of sulphur
or carbolic powder should be scattered now
and then-in which they will roll and
"bathe'' their teathers-thus aiding them
essentially to keep vermin off of their
bodies.
The nest-boxes may be 16 to Is inches
square, raised two feet above the floor (or
ground) of the house. In front of these
should be fastended shelf say eight inches
wide, upon which the hens can mount easily
to enter the boxes to lay. In each nest
place one of Livingstone's carbolic nest
eggs "a most excellent thing, by the Way,
and keep these boxes always supplied with
clean hay or short straw, for your laying
fowls constant accommodation.
The fowl-house floor should always be Of
earth, if this be possible. Boards or planks
in many cases are in use and where the
two-story fowl-house is adopted, of course
the upper floor is necessarily boarded But
II the bottom of the poultry-house Is of loan,
which can be often raked over and cleaned,
or spaded tip occasionally, we have found
this much the best Fowls do better If they
are constantly running upon the ground
ally, are very commonly troubled with dry,
cracked feet and scaly shanks. Since, how
ever constant may be the scattering of fresh
earth upon these acoodeu floors, it very
quickly dries to powder, and helps to dry
and render security the limbs of the old fowls.
Be sure and leave the surface of the earth
in the interior of the building foot or two
higher thad it is outside; in other words,
build on an artificial knoll.
We therefore advise, in building the hen
house, that the walls or frame be set upon
stone or brick foundation, foot above the
surface of the ground, and that the sashes
be placed lat bottom) six inches abovet this
under-pinning. Leave the inside floor open,
and let your birds have the benefit of the
earth, SO tar as they can, in cold weather.
They will be all the healthier for this, and
the expense of board or plank flooring is
thus avoided altogether
WhiteWash the walls thoroughly, before
you put the fowls into the new house. Into
this wash, while the lime is hot, and is be
ing dissolved, scatter half pint of powder
thoroughly all over the interior woodwork.
Wash the roosts with kerosene at the same
time. This will keep lice at bay for time.
Have your drinking fountain or vessels SO
placed that your fowls can have easy access
to the water. and always so that they will
not scratch filth into it. In very cold wealth
er. empty the water out of these vessels at
nightfall, and replenish them in the morn
ing. This saves much trouble from freez-
ing.
This last suggestion is very important
one, for the convenience of your foWl-stock
in very cold weather. 1t needs scarcely to
be said that the birds are not able to break
through the ice-crust that accumulates
quickly during the night, in open water-ves-
sells; and it will always be noticed that they
desire their drink as early in the morning as
the feeder is ready to furnish it.
Artificial nesteggs. and plenty of them,