Milford chronicle., 1915-07-09

| In gong into the business OF raising
poultry, either for pleasure or profit, a
point always to be considered is the Sc
lection of a suitable site, the building of
houses and the choice of fixtures that
will add to the comfort of the fowls, and
at the ssme time prove convenient for
the attendant.
While the latter is not absolutely es-
sential to the successful raising of chick
ems, the first two named are vitally i'm
portant The proper selection of the
site upon which to construct the poultry
house is indeed significant, and upon
your success in this matter largely de-
pends your future attainment
Special care should be taken to avoid
ground that is infected with parasites -
they prove detriment to the birds and
cause the breeder time, worry and money
to eradicate.
A dry, porous soil, such as sand or
gravelly loan is far more preferable
than clay one, and if site similar to
the former is chosen there is less chance
for unhealthy fowls provided, however,
reasonable care and attention is given
them) than would be the case should a
site on clay soil be selected.
While this is not, of course, the only
kind of ground upon which poultry may
be raised with a reasonable degree of
success, yet it is the best, provided you
can get it. Any kind of soil, however,
is better than clay one; which should
be avoided entirely.
After a careful selection of the ground
for the poultry plant, the next thing is
to construct the houses; in which also
great care should be taken. Wherever
! = 10 r,oesfhla Abo ho11cac obot1ld ho b11ilf
| facing the South, as this will permit the
greatest amount of sunshine, particular
/ ly during the winter months, to pene-
trate far into the coop during the entire
day, and thus supply one of the neces-
sary essentials to healthy fowls.
After careful study and much expert
ment upon the part of well-known
breeders, both large and small, it has
been found that the fowls keep healthier
and produce better when kept in the
open-front style of poultry house than
when harbored in tightly closed cOOps.
Coops built in the open-front style,
with the Southern exposure open, and
the house carefully constructed so as to /
avoid all draughts will be found to pro- /
duce far better results than tightly
closed ones or ones situated differently. |
This also affords sufficient fresh air, /
which it is necessary to supply besides
the sunshine spoken of above. Besides /
being of direct benefit to the birds, this
construction will also tend to keep the
house dry and sweet inside, which above
all things, is most desirable. Foul, damp
houses will keep the birds continually
out of condition and in general un-
healthy state. Proper ventilation of the
coops is essential, but this does not
mean draughts, so by all means avoid
them.
If one is of the opinion that the open
front style of house is too cold at night,
according to the climate in which one is
located, or in extremely severe weather,
a muslin curtain may be so arranged
that it can be dropped while the birds
are at rOost. This may either be con-
structed over the open-front or may be
attached to the roof of the house on the
inside and dropped down in front of the
fowls. A rod may be attached to the
curtain and during the day it can be
rolled up to the roof and fastened. This (
method is better than placing the curtain
over the open front.
In constructing the interior of the
poultry house, special care and attention {
should be given the subject, as it means
much to the attendant in the saving of
time and labor if conveniently built; in
addition, furnishing comfort to the fowls.
Most persons raising chickens, and
more particularly beginners and farm
ers, make the serious mistake of con- {
the roosts on the incline, or q
after the style of ladder. This should S
never be done. Build them all on the
same level, and thus avoid the habit
among fowls to crowd the top perch.
Notice your ladder roosts, and see if the
.op one is not overcrowded, while on the
over ones you will scarcely ever see a
bird.
The ladder roosts have another grave
disadvantage. The fowls will invariably
iy down from the top and light exceed
ngly heavy upon their feet, many times {
in broken legs and sore feet, I
md particularly bumblefoot. !,
In constructing the roosts upon a level, y
10 not make them too high. Under the '
costs place a dropping board, allowing a q
bout six inches between this and the !
costs. This may be either perfectly
evel or a little inclined toward the front
r first roost, but the former method is
Preferable. Allow the dropping board
o extend beyond the roosts about 10 or
2 inches, and be not over two feet
bove the floor of the coop.
This will only allow the birds to jump
distance of two feet to the floor and
,ill be the saving of many a fine bird.
Saplings, with the knots trimmed off,
o not make good roosts, and should not
e used; neither do many other forms of
,rap lumber often found in use. The
est roosts can be made from 2x2 scant-
ngs. Round the upper edges for the
1nvenience of the fowls. Construct
,rm, to be placed on the dropping board,
ith notches to hold the roosts in posi-
on. Make them fit neat, in order to
-event rocking while the birds are at
,ost. These, as we'll as the dropping
ard. should be made so as to be easily
moved when cleaning.
The placing of the nests in the coop
Iould also be done with care. They
ay be located in any convenient part
the structure. but should be placed
&c 70 ba nc dark as DOssible For |