The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1917-04-18

venture Is not likely to prove success
ful. Lack of care may result in dis
ease that will sweep off the entire
flock, and it is almost certain to cause
reduction in egg production that
Will make the birds a burden instead
OF a help. In some localities where
municipal ordinances may prohibit
the keeping of poultry within certain
limits, care should be taken that the
poultry yard is not in prescribed
area.
Space for Flock.
While it is possible to get along with
20 square feet per bird, larger space
affording more green and insect food
Is very desirable. For one thing, the
ordinary poultry keeper wishes to per-
petuate his flock, and the raising of
young chickens requires as much land
as the keeping of mature hens. After
she is 2 years old the best LAYING
days of the average hen are over, and
1t usually pays to get rid of her. This
means that half the flock must be
renewed each year. Since as MANY
cockerels as bullets will be Matched
and certain percentage are certain
to die, it is customary to hatch each
year a few more chickens than there
are hens in the flock. With a flock
of rs, for example, about 80 chickens
should be raised. The same space
must be allowed for these as for the
laying hens. The cockerels are con-
sumed through the season, being used
either as broilers when they are about
8 months old, as fryers, or as roast
ers.
1t is almost desirable as a precau-
ton against disease to divide the
available area into two plats. On one
of these the chickens are allowed to
range while green crop-wheat or
oats, for example-is being grown for
them on the other. The preliminary
turning under Of the soil, the green
crop, and freedom from chickens for
period serve to prevent the land
from becoming contaminated.
Additional range, with the advant
age of large supply of insect food
for the birds, may sometimes be OBJ
tanned where a vegetable garden is
maintained. At different times in
the growing season there are areas
in the garden which are either idle
or occupied only by crops that the
hens will not touch. The birds, confin-
ed to these with the aid of a portable
fence, benefit without injury to the
vegetables.
Some Housing Required.
An important item to be considered
by those thinking of maintaining a
home flock is the cost of the house.
For some part of the year, at least,
IN almost every section of the United
States, chickens require the shelter of
tight, dry building. In planning the
house, approximately or feet of
floor space should be allowed for each
bird. The height may be determined
by the convenience of the operator,
for the birds themselves need only 2
or feet. Such low houses, however,
are very difficult to clean, and in con-
sequence are likely to be neglected.
1t is better to build them so high that
man may work in them without dis
comfort.
A not uncommon device is to use
piano box for chicken house. The
cost of these houses depends largely
upon circumstances, though no esti-
mate can be given. 1t may be possi-
bic to find one the owner will be glad
to give away; and, on the other hand,
one may have to pay $1.50 or more
for box that is no better. BY COM
bining two piano boxes very salts
factory shelter for small flock can
be made at little expense. Where
lumber must be purchased, it has been
estimated that the materials for
substantial chicken house may cost
anywhere from so cents to 81 pcr
bird, and it is not unlikely that with
the present prices Of commodities of
all kinds these figures will be some
what low. Portable chicken houses
arc also on the market at costs vary
ing greatly. The majority, however,
will probably cost the owner from
Sl.5O to 81 for each bird sheltered bv
them. In any event, 1t is probable
that unless there is plenty of spare
lumber available and the prospective
pouitryman happens to be a good car
penter, the cost of the chicken house
will not be met by the value of the