Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1919-11-11

prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)
essentials of hen happiness during
the winter season include warm
houses. plenty of varied food, access to
coy, comfortable run during pleas
ant weather and assurance Of proper
and experienced attention on the part
OF the poultryman.
10 obtain good results from a flock
OF poultry during the winter all houses
and coops should be in good condition.
only healthy fowls should be kept in
the flock and they should be given the
maximum of care and attention.
Houses should be thoroughly clean,
disinfected and made draft proof. pre-
paratory to the reception of the flock.
If they have earth floors. it is adyis-
able to remove the top three or four
inches OF earth and replace this with
fresh clean earth. If the floors are of
cement all the dirt and litter should be
removed and from four to five inches
of fresh straw litter should be pro-
vided.
1t is highly essential that the hen
dwellings be alright on three sides so
that there is no opportunity for draft
to strike the hens, as where hens roost
or are placed in draft during the fall
and winter, colds are almost certain to
develop and may result in roup and
other troubles. From one-third to one
half of the south side, or front, of a
poultry house may be made of curtains
and windows, but should be so con-
structed that the openings may be
closed gradually as the weather be-
comes cold. Have muslin curtains in
the front Of the house or leave a win
dow partly open even on the coolest
night to provide for ventilation. Fowls
are able to Withstand considerable cold
air If it is dry, and ventilation will
keep the air thoroughly dry in the
house.
The prime essentials In a poultry
house are fresh air. dryness, sunlight,
convenience and space enough to keep
the birds comfortable. The house
should be located where there is good
water and air drainage. 1t should face
the south or southeast. From three
to four square feet of floor space
should be allowed for each hen. Pro-
vide one nest for every four or five
hens.
A Cheap, Satisfactory House.
A simple poultry house 10 feet by IA
feet, which will accommodate about so
hens, can be constructed with approx
house has one-half of the front open,
but a two-section curtain of burlap or
thin muslin, which can be closed,
should be used on the inside to close
the opening on cold nights. In case
the ground is damp it will be essential
to add a board floor; otherwise an
earth floor elevated few inches above
the ground level will be satisfactory.
If desired, a cement floor of cheap and
simple construction may be laid, such
a floor being good protection against
rats. In the warmer sections 6-inch
shutter may be used on the back Of the
house, just under the caves, which may
be so constructed that it can be closed
to prevent any draft on the hens dur
ing cold weather. The nests may be
placed directly under the dropping
boards or on the walls of the house,
but not on the floor.
Material for House.
This house may be built any length
desired to accommodate the number of
hens to be kept. The materials re-
CURED for building this house are:
Two pieces, feet by feet by 10
inches, for sills; two pieces, feet by
feet by IA inches, for sills; two
pieces, 2 feet by feet by 10 inches.
for plates; two pieces 2 feet by 4 feet
by IA inches, for plates; 16 pieces, z
feet by feet by IL inches, for studs,
rafters and roosts; 100 square feet OF
boards, IL feet long, for ends; 56
square feet of boards, for back; "a
square feet of boards for front ana
dropping boards; $50 square feet of
boards for roof; 270 linear feet OF z
feet by foot battens; total scantling,
226 feet, board measure; total boards,
622 feet, board measure; total lumber
$40 feet. board measure, in addition to
battens; two pairs hinges, 100 square
feet roofing paper, nails, 56 square
feet poultry wire, Pinch mesh, and the
same amount of muslin; poultry net
ting-A inch mesh can be used in To-
calities where sparrows are trouble
some.
Clean the dropping boards at least