The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1917-04-19

twelve to twenty-five hens are suffi-
cient to provide the ordinary family
with enough eggs and meat to render
the keeping of the birds worth while.
according to poultry specialists in the
U. S. Department OF Agriculture. The
amount of outdoor space the flock
will require may be estimated at
about twenty-five square feet for
each bird. There are instances in
which chickens have thrived with
much less than this. but unless the
soil is especially favorable and the
birds receive unusually good care
crowding is likely to prove unprofi,-
able.
Poultry specialists do not recon-
mend. however. that every one with
the requisite space at his disposal
should go in for chicken raising I'm
less there is natural interest in
poultry or a determination to make
the flock a source of real economy
even if it does take time and trouble.
the venture is not likely to prove
successful. Lack of care may result
in disease that will sweep off the
entire flock and it is almost certain
to cause a reduction in egg produc-
ton that will make the birds bur-
den instead of help. In some local
tiles where municipal ordinances may
prohibit the keeping OF poultry with
in certain limits. care should be
taken that the poultry yard is not in
a prescribed area.
|. Space For A Flock.
While it is possible to get along
with twenty-five square feet per bird.
a larger space affording more green
and insect food is very desirable
For one thing, the ordinary poultry
keeper wishes to perpetuate his flock
and the raising of young chickens
requires as much land as the keep
ing of mature hens. After she is two
years old. the best laying days of the
average hen are over and It usually
pays to get rid of her. This means
that half the flock must be renewed
each year. Since as many cockerels
tain percentage are certain to die. IL
is customary to hatch each year a
few more chickens than there are
hens in the flock. With a flock of
twenty five. for example. about thirty
chickens should be raised. The
same space must be allowed for these
as for the laying hens. The cocker
els are consumed thru the season.
I being used either az broilerB, when
they are about three months old, as
/ friers. or as roasters.
1t is also most desirable as a pre-
caution against disease to divide the
available area into two plats. On one
of these the chickens are allowed to
range while a green crop-wheat o.
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 advan-
tage of a large supply OF insect feed
for the birds. may sometimes ba 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 oc.
cupied only by crops that the hens
will not touch. The birds. confined to
these with the aid Of portable
fence. benefit without injury to tho
vegetables.
Some Housing Required.
An important item to be considered
by those thinking OF maintaining .
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 sheite.
of a tight. dry building. In planning
\ the house. approximately 4 or 5 feet
OF floor space should be allowed for
each bird. The height may be de
| termined by the convenience OF the
| operator for the birds themselves
need only two or three feet. Such
! low houses. however. are very diff.
ficult to clean. and. in consequence
are likely to be neglected. It is bet
ter to build them so high that a man
may work in them without discom
fort.
A not uncommon device is to use a
piano box for a chicken house. The
cost of these houses depends largely
upon circumstances. though no esti
mate can be given. 1t may be possi
BILE to hnd one the owner will be glad
10 give away; and. on the other hand
one may have to psy $l.5o or more for