The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-06-24
POULTRY BULLETIN
Sent TO FARMERS
agricultural Agent Interests
Clubs In Better Chicken
Houses.

Preparation Of the poultry house SO
that tn echickens will be vigorous and
healthy during the summer, fall and
coming winter Is discussed in detail IN
bulletin sent to the poultry clubs o.
Marion county by H. L. Smith, county
agricultural agent. The bulletin fol
lows:
we want to begin now 10 think
about the winter quarters for that nice
flock Of pullets you are growing. They
must not be left out to ro0st in the
tres during the winter, because II
takes all t~heir-energy TO keep warm.
Begin now to fix up the poultry
house. A new covering made Of roof
ing paper, that will cost very little, al
be put on. See to it that both hinges
on the door, and that a way IS
provided to fasten II. Find some strips
that you can nail over the cracks in
the sfdes of the house and keep out i
lot az cold wind. Probably you can
yet bag of cement and put IN a floor.
Then IL there is no window to provide
liRht. you can get one in this summer.
Your fine birds should have plenty Of
light so they can find their feed in the
scratching litter. on must have on the
floor next winter about six inches or
eight inches of litter in which you can
scatter the grain feeds. You will not
want to let your pullets out in the
rain and snow. and they must have
exercise when shut up. Provide some
nice clean nests early in the fall. Do
not wait until the middle OF the win
ter.
Essentials of a good poultry house
Include: ~ Dryness. (2) Fresh air.
C3l Sunlight. az Floor space enough
to provide room for the birds 10 move
about in comfort. q Fixtures so ar
ranged as to make the house easy to
clean. 5,
"Upon the condition of the roof and
floor depends the dryness Of most
pouItry houses. A good roof can be
provided by using some of the paper
materials made for this purpose. The
floor may be made Of well tamped clay
sor cement. Rats must be kept from
under a wooden floor. All cracks IN
the sides Of the building should be
covered with strips.
"a building may have a large
amount of air space in it and Yet have
very little fresh air. Fresh air must
be made to enter the house in such a
manner that the fowls will not have 10
roost in a draft. This can best be
done by using an open front house.
This kind Of house should be deep.
from front to back. and n curtain pro
yided to drop in front Of the roosting
perches to help keep the chickens
warm at night.
aThe poultry house should face the
Eouth when It is possible. Sunlight
fries out the house. kills the germs
and makes for good cheer. Laying
&ens usually sing.
"Four to six square feet Of floor
space should be allowed for each fowl.
Cover the floor with six inches OF
straw for scratching litter. This Will
help keep the floor dry N furnish e%-
ercise Off your birds.
"All fixtures in a poultry house
should be so arranged that it will be
easy to clean the house. 1t is a good
plan to arrange things so as TO be
able to carry everything outside on
cleaning day. Remember that your
feed hopper and fresh water holder
shouId both be up off the floor Make
a stand eighteen inches high and Sc:
4he feed hopper in the center OF the
floor. Put your water pain in the
corner about the same height from h
floor. Nests may be put under the
dropping board or against the side
walls"