El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-10-18

: ESSENTIALS Of hen happiness dur
L ing the winter season include
warm houses, plenty Of varied food.
access 10 a cory comfortable run
during pleasant weather. and assur-
ance OF proper and experienced at
tention on the part OF the poultry
man
To obtain good results from a
flock OF poultry during the winter
all houses and ongDs should be in
good condition, only healthy fowls
should be given the maximum Of care
and attention Houees should be Thor
oughly clean. disinfected, and made
draft proof, preparatory TO the recep-
ton Of the flock. II they have earth
floors, IL is advisable 10 remove the
top three OF four inches OF earth
and replace this with fresh clean
earth. II the floors are OF cement
all the dirt and litter should be re-
moved and from FOUR to five inches
Of fresh straw litter should be pro-
It Is highly essential that the hen
dwellings be air tight on three sides
so that there Is no opportunity for
draft TO strike the hens, as where
hens. roosts are placed in g draft dur
almost certain to develop and may
result in r0up and other troubles.
From one third TO one half Of the
south side or front, Of a poultry
widows, but should be so constructed
that the openings may be closed
gradually as the weather becomes
cold Have muslin curtains in the
front Of the house or leave 8 window
partly open even on the coolest night
n
are able 10 Withstand considerable
cold air IL IL is dry. and ventilation
VIII 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 Tslter and air drainage. It
should face the south OF southeast
From 3 70 4 square feet OF floor
space should be allowed for each hen
Provide one nest for every four or
five hens.
A Cheap. Satisfactory House.
A simple poultry house 10 feet BY
q feet, which VIII accommodate
about so hens. can be constructed
with approximately SIS worth Of
materials. This house has one half
Of the front open. but a two section
curtain OF burlap OF 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 u VIII be essential TO add
a board floor otherwise an earth
floor elevated few inches above the
ground level VIII be satisfactory. ii
desired. a cement floor Of cheap and
simple construction may be laid. such
q floor being good protection
against rats In the warmer sections
a Inch shutter may be used on the
hack of the house fust under the
caves, which may be so constructed
that It can be closed 10 prevent any
draft on the hens during cold weather. I
The nests may be- placed directly
Under the dropping boards, or on the
walls OF the house but not on the
floor.
This house may be built any length !
desired TO accommodate the number
OF hens TO be kept. The materials I
required for building this house are. I
Two pieces. 9 inches. by & inches I
~ 10 teet, for sils; pieces. & inches l
by 4 inches by "A feet; for siils; z 4
pieces, 2 inches by 4 inches by 10 feet. I
for plates. 2 pieces. 2 inches by. 4 1
inches by IL feet for plates. JIG pieces. /
2 inches by 4 inches by u feet, for /
studs, rafters. and roosts; 100 square /
feet OF boards, y feet long, for eudss 4
IS square feet OF boards for hack, /
81 square feet OF boards for front I
and dropping boards 150 square feet J
3f boards for roof; go linear feet Of I
inch by inch hatteus. total .
scantllng, 226 feet board measure
total boards, so feet, board measure.
Total lumber, $50 feet board measure.
IN addition TO batteus. pair hinges
80 square feet roofing paper; nails;
IS square feet poultry wire, 2 inch
nesn' and the same amount Of
muslin; poultry netting-& inch mesh
AN be used IN localities where SPAR
rows are troublesome