The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-06-20
F AND NJ
STARTING A POULTRY PLANT.
r ". S. JacobS.)

cation. An elevation having natural
drainage away from the area WneIe
the building is to be piaced. Snoulu pe
sought, as the ground, no mater ol
| what nature, will be cold ana uN-
healthy If damp. If the proposed site
does not afford drainage naturally it
should be provided in the form OF a
thorough system of under-dralnage.
A dry, IOruS soil Of a sandy or gray
ely nature is much more satisfactory
than an impervious clay soil, as mat
of the more open nature is more easi-
ly kept in a clean and sanitary condi-
ton. A pure, sandy soil is not deslra-
BILE. however. as a soil which Will not
support plant life will prove unsatls-
f factory for poultry. A gentle slope
facing the south or southeast Is pre-
ferable III order that the fowls may
receive as much sunlight as posSlple
during the short days Of winter. A
slope towards the IS better
than a southWesterly one, as the lows
seem to prefer the morning to the al
ernoon sun. Orchards are very de-
sirable as locations for poultry runs
on account Of the shade which the
trees afford during the hot summer
days, and in return for the shade thus
provided the poultry will prove a val
uble ally to the orchardist in combat
ing many injurious insects.
We find poultry thriving and yield
ing good returns in so many different
styles of houses that it is difficult TO
recommend any one particular klnu.
There are a few things which should
be observed in the construction OF all
houses and if observed h fowls
should keep healthy and thrifty. A
house which will not permit Of a full
circulation Of fresh air should not be
built, as it is likely to become damp
and stuffy. Care should be observed
to prevent drafts as they are as fatal
to good results as dampness. If the
house is already constructed and II
prove damp, filling the loft (f it has
one with dry, cleaun straw Will ma
terially improve it.
Their are a few general rules which
should always be observed in building
poultry buildings. Every hen should
be allowed six squar feet of floor
space. Each bird of the Plymouth
Rock, Wyandotte and other similar
grades, require about nine inches OF
perch oom; Leghorns, Minorcas, etc,
about eight inches; Brahma and Leg
horns ten inches.
Roosts should be made low or near
the ground, not more than two feet
There are several reasons for this.
Fowls of the heavier breeds cannot fly
high and those of the lighter breeds
frequently injure the soles of their
feet in jumping from high perches.
ROosts should be made all the same
height. For if they are made some
higher than others the birds will all
flock to the highest ones and crowd,
which is undesirable.
When dropping boards are used,
they should be low to permit of easy
cleaning. They should be mad of
matched lumber and be twenty inches
wide for one perch and three feet
wide for two perches. h first perch
placed at least ten inches from the
wall. A good roost may be made
from material X inches then slightly
rounded on the edges.
Many use old boxes, but these, if
near the ground are liable to in
luce egg eating. To prevent this. use
dark nests. Nests are usually made
from II to Is inches square Dirt
floors are as a rule more satisfactory,
and much cheaper than board floors
and have the additional advantage Of
not providing a hiding place for rats,
weasels, etc. The floor should be at
least six inche above the surrounding
ground. This can be accomplished by
filling in With sand or gravel. From
time to time this filing should be TAX
en- out and renewed, otherwise it is
liable to become foul. |
Cement foundations are best and
cheapest in the end. but posts or
stones at the serve fairly we'll.
The building should always be con-
structed in the spring or early sum-
mer in order that it may dry out be-
fore the fowls have to be housed in it.
Mr.. Julian E. Seavey. a New Hamp-I
shire man. thus describes a house for
chicks, which he has found to be very
satisfactory.
My chick house is AXIS feet, 4 feet
high in front and 2 IL in the back,
with floor. It has corner stone I'M
der it. The sloping raceway CD is
convenient when chicks pass in and
out. I simply raise bottom board Co
and faSten up, to let chicks all out at
once. Cd. ID is stationary front. To
feed chicks the wire netting (E. E. Ed
is made to take down from one end.
The top boards CD are hinged (GG)