Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-12-25

times, or for time, with less room-but
this much they must have II We would
have them do their beat at all times.
In addition to this inside space there
should be an opportunity for an outside
run on the lee side of the building aud
In the sun, but of this We shall have
morc To say later on.
In our winter climate the henhouse
cannot be too warn. Oxford County
weather is capable of testing most Sc
verely the most westher-,ight building
We can put up. The door should be
earth, there l. none other as good. but W
II must consist Of boards these
should be covered At least six inches
with sand or loan.
On top of the earth there should be
kept three Ia four inches of chan, or hay
or straw cut very short, Into which
their grain must be thrown and which
will obllge them to work In order to get
Il out. One window, aud that q southern
exposure, IL the best arrangement for
lighting.
Let II be understood that the writer IL
not advocating any special or costly
style Of building for the accommodation
Of the farmers flock of hens. Often
times this can not h. afforded. Hut What
u advocated and urged upon the atten-
ton Of the poultry-keeper. u that GER
tain essential condition. are brought
about-snd these are of such nature
that they can be easily supplied-if the
will aud recognition of what IL needed
are present. since warmth IL such a
vital matter, let "a dwell upon II little
more at length. Drafts and currents OF
air must be absolutely excluded. They
are as psrnicious To poultry AZ they
are to the farmers horses or
COWS. Ventilation IL another matter
We do not yentllate by allowing the
Wind to blow through the walls II our
houses, but make special openings Tor
that purpose. II I. Just so With our
poultry houses. We must ycn,ilate In
special WAYS. but ihl. must be- wholly
within our control aud 80 arranged thst
In very cold or windy weather u can be
wholly stopped. Hens suffer Gar less
irOm lack of ventilation than from it,
excess, In thl. climate. II the ben-house
Occupies a corner In the barn aud u In this
way already protected to = degree from
the wind sud cold. Il l. stIll Wise Ia llne
the entire side. with any heavy Kind 81
building paper that Il impers'ous
to Wind. Til. Il easily fastened on With
narrow wooden cleats. The ceiling
should hc low, not NOR, than slx aud =
half to seven f,si shove the fioor, and
should be boarded tightly aud psPercd.
\ low c,lling makes great difference IN
the warmth ~ the pen. Take particular
pains to protect th. floor of the zen
from drafts. There I. where the hen
lives. Likewise must the roosts be per.
teCily sheltered from currents 81 air. By
far the greatest number ~ eases of toup
result primarily from cold taken whilst
on the roo.t AZ night. II there i abso-
lutely no current ~ air IN tie hen pen,
iher. eau L. no cold taken by any msm-
b.rs ~ N. nock, no matter how far
down ~. thermometer may drop over
night. II I. far les mere coll air that
= ti.ct. the health ~ the flock, than u u
.itntp rir aud dr,l1s. \ large box, one
and . half hy two aud half n. 81
should be- PLACED on the floor of the pcn
sud filled slth dry losm or road dust
la which the hens msy take the du.t
hath that !. 80 essential Ia them. Also 1
u Thin reach, ther. should slways IT,
kent = small box or pan tllei With /
cracked oyster shell. aud sharp gravel /
rhls I. a. essential a. food itsslf.
Io not have more than one or st the
mo.t two nest boxes In pen, and let |
this De- placed on the nOor under the /
dropping board. The hens will inyarl' |
ahly lay all ~ their eggs In one box, 10
matter hoS many others there may BE-
4 number ~ boxe. only cumbcr the /
space aud furui.h additional hiding |
places for ycrmln.