The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1906-08-15
MOVABLE HOUSES FOR POULTRY.
"a, V. Meersch.

One of the most important improve
ments in the management of fowls dur
ing recent years is the employment Of
movable houses, where poultry is kept
in large numbers, and where there is
plenty of space. If herded together
in one house, the birds will not roam
far, but will remain mostly in the near
neighborhood. This results in the
ground round about becoming tainted
and polluted, while the fresh soil be-
yond their range is unused, and so, as
far as they are concerned, wasted.
When portable wooden houses are en-
ployed, all the fresh ground is taken
advantage of and the birds can not
only be divided into small groups, but
they can be changed about from one
place to another, as often as is cons1d-
cred necessary.
A change of this description has
a wonderful effect on the health of the
chickens, as we'll as on that of the
adult stock. In those instances in
which chickens of the same age, size
and breed have been divided into sep
arate flocks, one. of which has been
moved about, while the other has been
limited to the same spot, the chickens
that have been frequently moved have
grown much faster than the others.
Similar experiments have also been
made in laying hens, with the result
that those located in movable houses
have laid more freely than those that
have had their dwelling in perma-
nent and stationary abode.
1t is always advisable to feed the
young birds apart from the adults, or
they get ill-treated and do not. obtain
their proper share of the food. This
is difficult to provide for when the
fowls of all sizes and ages are kept
close together, whereas movable houses
obviate all trouble. The ground, too,
benefits by the number of slugs, grubs
and noxious insects being consumed by
the birds.
Portable houses can be purchased as
cheaply as they can be made at home.
Many excellently made wooden houses
of this description have been seen of
late years exhibited at leading poultry
shows, and offered for sale at most
moderate prices. Some of these are
placed on four wheels, with rings in
front to draw them by. The perches
are also movable, SO as to facilitate
cleanliness, the nest boxes being ar
ranged outside and covered with
lookup flap. This enables the eggs to
be collected, without going into the
house and prevents dirty nests. A
light wire temporary door can be ad-
justed, so that when the house is
moved the birds can see through the
wire and this does away with any diff
ficulty when they are let out. After
they have been changed from one place
to another, they should be kept in
for a few hours and fed. When they
have had one or two moves, the fowls
become accustomed to the arrangement
and will settle down at once.
If several houses of the kind are
used, it is better to put them in differ
ent corners of the field, well away
from each other. After the corners
have been cleaned, the houses can be
shifted towards the middle of the field.
To get shade from the sun or shelter
from the wind and rain, the birds will
generally make for the nearest hedge.
Those poultry growers who have not
tried the movable house system should
procure one house and compare the
chickens or full grown fowls kept
in it with those that are limited always
to the same quarters. They will prob
ably add to the number Of the houses.
In preparing ground for raspberries,