The log cabin Democrat., 1906-12-20
STARTING POULTRY BUSINESS
The First Principles of Poultry
 Culture.
Valuable Suggestions on Proper Housing Feeding and Caring for Large
 Numbers of Fowls.

Numbers of Fowls.
 In view of the recent visit ot the Missouri Pacific's poultry exhibit train to this city and the consequent interest aroused in the poultry ln- dustry, the following article, taken from the Circle, a new magazine just published, will be of special interest to many Log Cabin Demo crat readers:
 There is enough of business in poultry raising to make 1t interest ing to him who undertakes 1t for pleasure, and there is enough of pleasure in 1t to make 1t fascinating to him whose avowed purpose Is business. This happy adjustment of amusement and profit IS doubt less responsible for the assertion that every man is born with de- sire to engage in chicken busi- ness at some time in his career.
 Money in poultry IS the al- turing headline of so many maga- zine articles and stock advertise ments that it induces the suspicion that the average person does not make great success in this line of business, and the opportunity is thus afforded for restating some of the principles to be observed in poultry culture.
 The first consideration in start ing poultry raising will be the housing. A room 10 by I2 feet will comfortably accommodate from 25 to 30 hers; that is, from five to six square feet of floor space, according to the size of the breed, should be provided for each individual. The floor should be of dry earth, the building being placed on a we'll drained elevation, or, if it has a floor of plank or ce- ment, 1t should be covered with several inches of sand or loam. Hens do not like to walk on ashes. A litter of straw or of the fine clov- CT leaves and timothy chaff from the loft of the barn is very good.
 The foundation walls of the building should go down far enough to discourage rats from tunneling under them, for rats are very fond of eggs and of young chicks, and are one of the pests to be guarded against.
 Have the building face so that the windows are on the south side. Chickens. enjoy the sunlight, es- pecially in the winter. On the north side will naturally be the psssageway through the building. Have as few cracks and knot-holes in the siding as possible, for these make ideal retreats for vermin from which 1t is difficult to dislodge them, and they permit of drafts, which are as unhealthy for chick ens as for men. Correct ventila- ton is, however, an important point.
 The perches should be conven- iently near the floor and on level one with another. The old way was to have them at successive heights, but this induces the hens to scramble for the top perch and leads to disturbances and crowding. Hens and COWS, as we'll as men, should be as free from excitement as possible to accomplish the great est amount of work Some of the successful poultry plants do not have scratching sheds attached to the laying houses, as even this natural exercise Is deemed, wheth- CT wisely or not, drag oil the highest efficiency.
 The question of feeding is one that is and always will be open for discussion With fowls and ami mals, as with men, no single, per fectly balanced ration can be pre- scribed. For perfect health, the