Milford chronicle., 1917-09-07
A Talk On Poultry House Construction
By J. H. MeFAUL, Jr.
LAN Righks RsseyHen

over the opening at night while the birds are at
roost, thus protecting them from much Of the
cold. while at the same time admitting plenty Of
fresh air.
II you prefer such curtain il may either be
placed over the open front attached to the roof
Of the house, inside and roller placed at the bot
tom. During the day this can he rolled up and
fastened to the roof. and at night lowered before
the opening.
over the open front.
There should belas much care and attention ex-
ereised IN the selection Of the fixtures as in that
Of the site and construction Of the houses. both
for the comfort Of the fowls and the convenience
Of the attendant or breeder.
One Of the most common mistakes in the placing
Of the fixtures ia that Of placing the roosts an
incline instead Of on the level. This is generally
true Of beginners. and farmers who seem 70 think
that the old ladder style Of rooat 10 the right dea
Fowls are peculiar thinGB, and somehow. all Of
them get the idea that they should occupy the
highest point With this end in view. all attempt
70 force their way 70 the pinniele thus causing
eroEdinR. In many instances some Of the birds
are forced 70 roost on the hoor, thus HubiectnR
them to the foul odors that arise from the deposts
Another really good reason why the inclined
FORM Of roost should be avoided ia that Il compels
the birds 70 jump from the top rung Of the ladder
in the morninga thus making them liable to de-
velop humble foot and lamenees- The best roosta
are those constructed on the same level This can
easily be done, and at the same time. Il makes
them removable to be readily cleaned.
In building the ruoats on q level, do not make
them too high. II q dropping board iH desired, il
should be about six inches under the roosts and
slightly on the incline 80 80 TO aid in cleaning.
Where no dropping board is used and indeed
believe this to be preferable the rOosta should not
be more than two feet above the floor Of the house
Where the dropping board is used, II should ex-
tend nearly foot in front Of the first roost This
gives the birds an extra lifting place when getting
on the roosta
In selecting the material for the roosts never
use aappling or young trees with the knots trim
the case with other forms Of scrap lumber. The
rooat. although Il does not seem 90. is really an
important matter. rwo-by- -three-iueh scantlings.
turned edgewise. and with the edges trimmed of.
make excellent perehes for fowls. In addition to
being perfectly safe they are very comfortable
for them These can be placed in a form into
which grooves have been cut. and are easily re-
moved for cleaning.
The last thing but by no means the least Of i'm
portance, is the placing and construction Of the
nest boxes. Place them in any convenient part Of
the house. but they should be kept as dark as pos
sible Fowls are like young lovers, they love the
dark spots. and their wishes should be complied
with if possible. Never face the nest boxes out
ward or toward the light. This gives the hen occupy
ing it an opportunity to observe everything that s
going on, and many times they become frightened.
Then too, II she can readily see the deposits Of
eggs there is tendency for her 70 become Ad-
ally prevents such habits. Again. the nest boxes
should he so made % to permit easy cleaning.
Throw a quantity Of good scratching material
over the floor in addition 70 that provided in the
scratching shed.
These are, Of course but a few Of the many
points 70 be considered in the construction Of
houses but they are the most important ones- II
the suggestions are followed you will have little
difhculty in keeping your poultry in healthy
diton. insofar as the proper housing is concerned