Milford chronicle., 1915-08-06
SEE THAT YOUR FOWLS
Are PROPERLY HOUSED
By J. H. McFAUL, Jr.
(AH Rights ReSeyvedl

4
Are you one of the large number ot
poultry raisers who pay but little or NJ
no attention to the housing of your birds
This negligence is to their detriment a!
well as your own. ! trust that this con
ditiOn does not exist in your yards, bu
be it known, that the time is now ripe
for all breeders, no matter where they
might be located, to look into this al
important matter before the winter sea
son starts in.
While it is true that the very hot
weather is still with US, yet it will pas:
away quickly. and doubtless find yOU
unready for the winter season when II
arrives. Now is a good time to prepare
for the future comfort and health OF
your stock, and owing to the condition
of the weather at this time, the change
can be made without danger to the fowls.
All things are important about the
poultry plant, no matter how trivia
they may seem. Above all things, l am
convinced that one of the most impOr-
/ tant is that of housing, and believe il
exceeds in Importance that of feeding.
do dot mean, however, to detract from
| the most important essential Of proper
food especially in its relation to the
production of eggs and the profits to be
derived therefrom.
The point | would impress upon your
mind is that, if the birds are improperly
housed they will continuously be out of
condition, brought about by the presence
Of colds and r0up. OF course, while
thus affected, they will not lay well and
therefore will not be as profitable as
they otherwise might be, notwthstand-
ing the fact that you may be feeding
them along lines which are correct in
every detail.
Everyone who handles poultry knows
full well that unhealthy birds are d dead
expense, and it is for this reason that l
class the proper housing of fowls even
ahead of feeding, and refer to it as the
first and most important duty Of every
breeder.
See that your fowls are in a good
healthy condition. And if your house is
not built upon sanitary and comfortable
lines, in order that there may be admit
ted an abundance Of fresh air and sun
shine. without the presence of drafts,
and at the same time, be waterproof,
then by all means rebuild before the
winter sets in and while the birds are
yet in healthy condition.
Now is a good time to start operations
in the poultry yard, especially the build
ing or rebuilding OF the houses. Most
any kind of a house is suitable in eX-
treihely hot weather and the birds will
generally keep fairly well, but this Is
not true Of the fail and winter months
Chickens are not unlike human beings,
colds contracted no the tall
are extremely hard To get rid Of Very
often they develop into bad cases OF
roup which invariably result in death,
and even. if cured, mean much hard
work for the breeder and affected fowls
that are unfit for breeders.
Colds are generally the result Of
chickens being compelled to roost IN a
draft, which has the same effect upon
the birds as upon person under similar
conditions. Many poultrymen pay alb
solutely no attention to these important
details. and when trouble arises, they
invariably lay the blame for being out .
IF condition on the birds instead of upon
Open-front houses are productive of (
good. healthy, vigorous birds, and be-
sides. prevent foul odors from remain
ng in the house for any length Of tlme'
as is the case when the quarters are
lightly closed.
The great medical fraternity through
,ut this broad land class fresh arr as
me of the greatest health restorers and
lisease preventatives known TO the SCI
.nce. and this assertion applies as well
% the feathered tribe as iC does to hui
nan beings. Don't sit back and con-
emn the fresh air treatment and llke-
wise this style of house, and doubt the
lains made in its favor. Try the eX-
eriment for yourself, and thus be con
inced that the logic is true. II you
,ill bring the hatchet into play, and by
nocking off a goodly number of boards
rom the southern exposure of your
oultrv house, thus giving it a far tnal
trough this winter, next spring you,
DO. will be not only an admirer but an
dvocate of the open-fron house and
-esh air for poultry. 81,
Now, to convert your present Oulld-
,gs into fresh air houses. II they
lance to be of the tightly closed va
etv. it is not necessary to tear them
1wn. but on the contrary, some good,
if blows with an axe viii serve TO re-
ave the boards from one side, prefer p
Nv the south side Of the building. 2
YER this opening put one-inch mesh $
,ultrv wire and the trick is turned, j
divided. however, the other portion of a
e building is properly built to turn
ater and prevent drafts.
After the change is wrought, note the
ference in the appearance of the b
Hiding. See if it does not present a O
ore attractive and cleaner looking p
ructure for the birds than did the +
ilding prior to the change. fl
MANY persons claim that it is too Sc n
re on the fowls with the front entirely 81
ened during the winter but such is
+ fhe case. particularly in this climate.
Won have any doubts along this line,
an provide a curtain for the house.
n this purpose use muslin or some
Oh material. fasten it to the top of d,
! house and let it down at night; but OF
iv- however, when the weather is ex- G
,Imelv cold or blustry. Ordinarily, on H
i NIGHTS, leave the curtain up, as the el
rs Will not freeze their bodies give OF
! good deal Of heat, sufficiently am tt
to take care of their wants. Sc
You may, however, be one Of the IL