The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-12-13

Egg
prepared by the United States Depart
ment Of Agriculture.)
Essentials of hen happiness during
the winter season include warn
houses, plenty of varied food, access t.
a cozy, comfortable run during pleas
ant weather and assurance Of proper
and experienced attention on the par
of the poultryman.
To 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.
II they have earth floors, it is advis-
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 a 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 II 1t Is dry, and ventilation will
keep the air thoroughly dry in the
house.
The prime essentials In q 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
mately $28 worth Of materials. This
house has one-half of the front open,
but 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 1t will be essential
to add. board floor; otherwise an
earth floor elevated few inches above |
the ground level will be satisfactory.
II desired, cement floor Of cheap and |
simple construction may be laid, such |
q floor being good protection against |
rats. In the warmer sections a 6-inch |
shutter may be used on the back Of the |
house, just under the caves, which may |
be SO constructed that 1t 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 door.
Material far Ho,,ee
This house may be built any length
desired to accommodate the number of
hens to be kept. The materials re-
luired for building this house are:
Two pieces, 4 feet by 4 feet by 10
inches, for stills; two pieces, feet by
feet by IA inches, for stills; two
pieces. 2 feet by 4 feet by 10 inches.
or plates; two pieces 2 feet by feet
~ IA inches, for plates; 16 pieces, 2
eet by 4 feet by II inches, for studs,
ALTERS and roosts; 100 square feet of
boards. II feet long, for ends; Sc
quare feet OF boards, for back; "a
Quare feet of boards for front ard
lropping boards; $50 square feet Of
boards for roof; go linear feet OF
eet by foot battens; total scantling,
26 feet, board measure; total boards,
% feet, board measure; total lumber,
so feet, board measure, in addition to
attens; twospairs hinges, $50 square
eet roofing paper, nails, Sc square
eet poultry wire, pinch mesh, and the
anne amount of muslin; poultry net
Ing Inch mesh can be used in To-
alities where sparrows are trouble
ONE.
Clean the dropping boards at least
nee q week, and paint or spray the
costs two or three times year with
coai-tar wood preventative or with
rude oil. also using this material In
be nest boxes and around the drop ! t