Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-06-16
TO START A POULTRY FARM.
Australian Ideas That are Practical in Any
section-Amount of Land Needed.

sun lhS pOultly IdIlu is the site.
This should be, if possible, on nice
slope; if the ground is level it should
be drained.
The question of soil is an important
one and should be considered. Some
people thing, ANY kind of land will
do There is a little truth in this.
but not the whole truth. Grass land
is the best, providing there is sufficient
drainage. so that it will not remain
damp after rain The best soils are
gravel or sand; sand is the best. as it
keeps clean longer. Sandy soil after
every shower looks clean through the
rain washing the droppings into the
sand. On clayey or sticky soils the
droppings remain on the top and are
damp for several days after rain.
With stiff, clayey soil poultry culture
is difficult task: with sandy soil we
are more likely to be successful. for
after fall of rain all impurities are
carried off and the yard seldom be-
comes foul.
If the poultry breeder raises his
stock on stiff. clayey soil he will be
compelled to dig and turn over his
yards every season; on the other hand.
sandy soils will not require to be
turned over so often. If the yards or
pens have a good coating of grass and
the rainfall he fair most of the drop
pings will he used up by the grass
after rain has dissolved it and washed
it down to the roots of the grass.
As to the amount of land needed, it
is Just that area that can be taken
care of and no more. In beginning a
poultry farm it is always best to own
the land or make arrangements for a
long lease. 1t is Il mistake to rent n
farm from month to month or quarter
to quarter, for no person cares to erect
buildings, pens. yards. etc, on the
land that he might he asked to leave
Just when he had got everything into
working order.
After securing the land the first
item is houses. These can be built neat
without being costly. and should he
erected in such manner as to be com
Portable and warm during the winter
months.
The most important part of pOul-
try house is the floor if this be not
properly made. no matter how we'll
the rest of the house is constructed. it
cannot be suitable. y damp floor
means n damp house. The floor should
be raised fully ten inches above the
yard or outside ground. \ good plan
when the house is erected. is to fill
the house inside with broFen stones.
gravel or cinderS to depth of five or
six inches. then tlree or four inches of
good stiff clay on top. well rammed
down and sanded on top. Cement or
asphalt makes better and heater
floor; still the earth floor. made as |
have said. of broken stones. ETC.. will
suit Just as well. besides being cheap
or an norltrv houses should Inc ner.
a
olvovs he drv: if not. the atmosphere
of the house can never be pure and
healthy
The size of the house will depond on
the number of fowls the owner intends
70 keen. As n general rule. for a
roostcr and six hens of the larger
breed six or seven feet square is am
nile. for the smaller breeds less will do.
As to the asnect of tho housp. il is best
to have il facing so that the sun can
shine most of the dav on the floor. It
i eosv 10 hang n screen or barging if
II reuuircs shade nj any time.
CIeanliness in the bouse means
avervthiup. The house should he thor
ourl,lv cleaned nj least once a week:
tyyo or three time n week. of course.
womb be bettor Always remember
thot seeming vour noultry house clean
means perfect health for your fowls
and n bigger protit M the end of Tho
ypor Tie housos should he limo
washed every sprirc: a little carho'ic
ocid mived win the wash is death to
all lice ana ,cts ~ q diSinfectont
In all noultrv houses il is necessary
IA have ono LARGE door for the exit nj
the fowls The position of both these
will denend greatly ON how the house
Is situated II is hest to have the door
where the inmates will not he m
dulv exnosed IN cold or draft. for if
nut ON the wind or cold side of the
| huildino il viii le hardly nosSible 70
| Keen the fowls cnmfortnhle For ey-
annie in some districts the west or
northwest winds arc most troublesome
and If il nearly imnos.ible to maintain
| Tho comfort Of tha fowls if the dior
way faces these troublesome winds
! II is q rood ulon tn have an omen
weather ar scrotchinn shed huilt adj
! ioininp the covering or projecting the
| 1onr,,.ov