The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1915-04-22

Such losses may easily be avoided
by any one, even the most ineXperf.
cnced, who will take the trouble to I
consider the matter and make use
Of the ripe experience of others.
The following article presents the !
general principles of pO~ultry-house
! construction and location, as gener-
ally accepted by the most successful
poultry keepers.
BY PROF. FREDERIC H. STONEBURN.
n EFORE the interested beginner in
poultry-keeping can actually make a
start, he must provide quarters for
his fowls. The baby chicks may get
along comfortably for a time in the make
shift quarters afforded by a paper-cov-
cred packing box, but as they grow and
reach maturity they demand more am
bilious structures. And, to a very consid-
cradle degree, the returns from the flock
are determined by the character of the
buildings in which it is housed. This does
not indicate that poultry buildings must
necessarily be costly, because in this case
efficiency is not measured by price. Sim
pie, inexpensive structures may have all
the essential features of the ideal build
ing and give continuously satisfactory
service for a long term Of years.
Obviously, the best time to erect poul-
try houses is during the Summer months
when the weather is right and the days
long. One should take plenty of time to
carefully consider all the factors which
have a bearing upon his particular prob
lem, then select that tested type of house
which best meets his needs.
Adopt Tested Types of Houses.
Let us emphasize that word tested. The
enthusiastic amateur is too often inclined
10 experiment, to incorporate in his poul-
try buildings features which he is pleased
TO term Original" but which are usually
either v~alueless or worse. For untold
generations poultrymen have been expert
menting in poultry house construction and
the popular structures of today represent
the best things which have been evolved.
II would be vain to predict that the future
will not bring forth improved plans, but
It is pretty sound advice to tell the be-
g.nner that he had best stick to struc-
lures of known value and attempt to work
out new and original ideas after he has
learned more about the needs Of his birds.
In future articles we will give working
plans and descriptions of a number of
DOiltly DullulD5n With clC NluCly uoCu
and generally satisfactory. This con-
tribution will deal exclusively with the
general principles of the construction and
location of houses for the adult flock.
A very large proportion of the begin
ners and side-line poultry keepers, may
find it easier and more economical to buy
their houses ready made rather than to
build them. This Is especially true Of
those who are so busy that they cannot
do the work themselves and must, there
fore, hire carpenters. Also, those who
are located in certain sections where
building materials are very high in price.
There are a number of w%ell-known con-
Germs which specialize in the manufacture
of portable poultry houses, buying the
materials in large quantities, doing much
of the work by machinery, and shipping
the structures in sections-"knocked
down'-thus securing the benefit of min
imum freight rates. In view of the many
savings thus effected these builders can
frequently deliver satisfactory houses of
good design, complete with all needed
furnishings, at a figure well below the
cost of similar buildings erected at home.
When received, these portable houses
may be easily and quickly set up, it merely
being necessary to adjust a few bolts or
screws.
The portable house is especially valu-
able to those who live on rented property.
II it is ever necessary to change to a
new location the houses nay be taken
down and sent by wagon or freight to
the new place. Many who erect their W
buildings are making them in easily
moved sections for this very good reason.
Production Depends Upon Comfort.
1t is important that the poultryman
should always keep this fact in mind:
Growth and egg production are, in very
large degree, determined by the comfort
of the stock.
Aim to keep your birds continuously
comfortable. Make them happy and con-
tented. Maximum returns can never be
secured under any other conditions.
The location Of the poultry house has
much to do with the comfort of the flock
kept therein. The soil, the exposure, the
protection afforded by hills, woods, build
ings and other windbreaks, even the mat
ter of atmospheric drainage, all have