Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02

let 1t Is bad plan to attempt to keen
very large flock in a very small yard.
unless considerable labor is expended
IN spadfng or blowing up the soil at
frequent intervals. The earth in a yard
crowded with fowls, especially IL the
SOIL is heavy. is easily contaminated by
their droppings. which will be particu-
larly Objectionable and insanitary in
wet weather.
Whenever possible it is best to have
double yards. either side by side or on
Doth sides of the house, SO that when.
the mock Is occupying one yard the
other may be sown to clover, rye or
o.ner green. THIS cultivation not alone
sweetens the soil. but 1t will furnish a
large amount of the necessary yege-
table food.
II yards are intended to be kept in
permanent sod, 1t will be advisable to
aIiow az least hundred square feet
per FOWL. Otherwise the birds will soon
destroy the entire growth. IL the runs
are INTENDED for exercise only, and the
greens are supplied from outside
sources about twenty-five square feet
or trifie less per bird is sufficient.
IN any event 1t is well to remember
that the nearer SQUARE a yard is made
the less 1t costs to fence a given area
furthermore. the flock is more securely
GSonnned within square yard; the
as In long, narrow yard. However.
the height OF the fence is largely a
matter Of the breed one keeps
Inc meat breeds. such as the Brah-
four foot fence: the dual-purpose
breeds. such as the rocks, within a
-FOUR to five foot fence and the egg
~. breeds. such as the ieghorns. within a
yard with a rail at the top. unless the
run Is to be covered with netting. for
70 DO so only invites the fowls to fly
and alfght on it. Netting can be
stretched satisfactorily without a rail
if carefully done.
The warmest part of the building
and that which is freest from drafts
should be selected for the roosting
compartment. which is usually against
the rear wall Each fowl should be all
lowed about ten inches linear perch
room. and all the perches should be Of
the same height, or the birds will fight
| and struggle for the highest ones.
Running the perches the long way Of
| the house-that is. parallel with the
rear wall. is generally the most con-
venient arrangement.
! Next in importance to the roosting
compartment is the arrangement Of
| nests. of which there should be at least
one to every four or five layers. Under
natural conditions the hen seeks a
| secluded spot in which to lay. hence it
/ behooves the builder to initiate this Sc
clusfon. The nests should be situated
in a mere or less dark place. easily ac-
cessible. and in such a way that they
do not obstruct passageways, or in
trude upon the moor area An unob-
structed floor is off vital Importance.
and it should not be robbed in any
way unless absolutely necessary.
Each nest should be about twelve by
fourteen inches square. and about
twelve inches high. with partitions be-
tween them to keep the hens from
fighting.
Poultry buildings can be erected at q
cost of 81 per bird OF $40 per bird. It
all depends upon the manner in which
the structure is built and finished. As
a commercial proposition. where the
houses are built for utility purposes
only, and are not ornamented in any
way. it is not advisable to spend over
81 so per hen for the buildings.