The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-29

flock is the cost of the house, For SONS
part of the year at least, in almost every
section of the United States, chickens
require the shelter of a tight-dry build
ing In planning the house, approx
mately four or five feet of floor space
should be allowed for each bird. The
J height may be determined by the con
venience of the operator, for the birds
themselves need only two or three feet
Such low houses, however, are very diff
cult to clean and, in consequence, are like.
ly to be neglected. II is better to build
them so high that man may work in
them without discomfort.
A not uncommon device is to use a pi-
ano box for chicken house. The cost of
these houses depends largely upon cir
cumstances though no estimate can be
given. 1t may be possible to find one
the owner will be glad TO give away
and, on the other hand, one may have to
pay $3.50 or more for box that is no
better. BY combining two piano boxes,
very satisfactory shelter for small
/ flock can be made at little expense.
| Where lumber must be purchased, it has
been estimated that the materials for
substantial ehickenhouse may cost any
where from SOC to sl,00 per bird, and it
is not unlikely that with the present
prices of commodities of all kinds, these
figures will be somewhat low. Portable
chiekenhonses are also on the market at
costs varying greatly. The majority,
however, will probably cost the owner
from Sl.50 to $500 for each bird shell
tered by them. In any event, it is prob
able that unless there is plenty OF spare
lumber available and the prospective
poultryman happens to be good carpen-
ter, the cost of the chickenhouse will not
be met by the value OF the products over
the cost of feed for the flock for a year
or two. The house should last, however,
for a number of years, especially If
painted and well cared for. Substantial
profits from the investment should be
made thereafter.
In many cases, also, where the sur
roundings are such that the chickens
cannot be allowed to range at will, the
cost of fencing must be considered. This, |
obviously, win vary greatly with the
size of the area TO be enclosed and the |
kind of fencing selected. Ordinary !
chicken wire is not expensive.
Cost of Keeping Chickens.
The actual economy secured by the
keeping of small flock of chickens de-
ponds primarily upon their egg produc- /
ton, and this. in turn, is largely mat
ter of care Under favorable conditions,
however, it is estimated that $50 eggs
the first year and 100 the second is a
fair return from the ordinary hen. On
the other hand, at least from 25 to 80
cents year must be expended for grain
and other feeds. the exact amount de-
pending upon the quantity of table
scraps vegetable parings, and other "left
overs" for the hens, so that a consider
able portion of their feed consists of
what otherwise would be carried off by
he garbage man.
Although of less Importance than the
,Ggs, the supply Of poultry for the table
furnished by the home flock is an item
hat cannot be overlooked. As has been
pointed out, in flock of 25 which the 6
,wner is perpetuating, there will be ap- I
~ or IL cockerels, almost all s
# which can be used best for food. Half {
II the hens must 60 each year also, so c
hat allowing for losses and for birds 1
eserved for breeding, there still will be 7
nough appreciably to affect the butch b
RS bill