Milford chronicle., 1917-08-03
The Proper Housing For. Winter.
By J. H. MeFAUL, Jr.
(44H Rights ReSe,Ved1

rent of fresh air into the qrrrters Tightly CLOSED
/ and poorly ventilated nouse- the other hand
retain all foul and bad-sm, ng odors, and in ad
diton, keep the birds cont,r .. ly checked up with
colds and other ailments.
Fresh air is the greatest health tonic known tc
medical science, and what is good for man. in SC
far as it relates to health. is also good for the
chickens Fresh air not drafts is what is needed
and it should be given the birds, in both winter
and summer. Never be afraid Of the birds freez-
ing. Keep them warm in the daytime by supply
ing a good starch litter into which their feed
should be thrown. Send them to roost at night
with good full crop, containing plenty Of corn.
and this will create sufficient heat TO keep them
from getting cold at night
While this particular form OF poultry house has
many admirers and is almost universally used by
those who make business of chicken raising. yet,
like many other good thinga. it also has many
knockers. The most of these. however, are per-
sons who have never used the open-front house
and know nothing Of its advantages. The old
school Of poultry raisers advocated warm COOP,
and in many instances, placed stoves in the houses
TO insure warmth. Up-tO-date poultrymen, how
ever, believe in different methods. We believe
that the birds should be kept warm during the
day, but this should be accomplished through ex-
ercise and not by burning fuel. If properly fed
the fowls will keep themselves warm at night.
With this method the birds are kept in far better
health and will yield better return than where
the old methods are prscticed.
Above all things ! would ask that you do not
condemn the Open-front style of housing until you
have given it fair and impartial trial, and if you
will do this. can wager that you too will be one
of it's staunchest advocates.
Now then. to return to your particular house.
Is it of those entirely closed 50 that there is
absolutely no air for the birds; or worse is it one
that. while seemingly closed. will admit draft
over the fowls at night?
You have delightful and faithful friend in old
Mr.. Hatchet. Bring him into play. put him to
work in knocking out the south side of your quar-
ters Once this is done, it with fine wire
mesh Tighten up all cracks so that it is impossi-
bic for drafts to play about the coop and you will
have done much toward your future success as a
poultryman.
Don't convert your coop into an open-front type
unless you close up all other openings no matter
how small or in other words without eliminating
the drafts Open-front houses often come for their
share of blame when the birds get out Of condition
through the presence of drafts. If the drafts are
there it is your fault and not that Of the open COOP
Many persons lay claim to the fact that open
front houses reduce the egg yield but if this were
true then why would SO per cent. Of all CONNER
cial poultrymen adopt them? When the egg yield
falls off you rest assured that the fault is not
with the coop, unless they are improperly con-
structed as to cause unhealthiness, but that it
is due to your lack of care and attention and i'm
proper feeding.
If this style of house is good for the big man in
the poultry game it is certainly good for you, but
you must have everything about the place right to
get results Nothing throws the hens off their
feet, to speak out of condition, quickly as
does overcrowding and especial care should be
taken to avoid this condition.