Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-07-13
"fien-iiouslng Helps"
(Willard @. Sisson, Instructor College
Agricultural

The time 10 nov ct hand when poultry
is no longer considered necessary evil
upon the farm. Most farmers now con-
slider poultry very profitable side-line
in any farming business. With reali-
zation of its value comes the realization
that In order to make 1t profitable poul-
try must be properly housed. Proper
housing does not necessarily imply elab.
crate or expensive buildings, but few
very important essentials must be borne
constantly in mind by the poultry keeper.
Winter eggs are an Out.of-season prod
uct as are fresh winter vegetables and
h0thouse strawberries. The truck farmer
would never think Of attempting to pro-
duce winter cucumbers, lettuce, t0ma-
toes and Strawberries without heated
greenhouse. Neither should we expect
to produce winter eggs without provid-
ing housing conditions for hens which
most nearly approximate spring, the
season of highest production. With the
laying hen proper housing conditions
spell comfort and high production.
A few of the more essential features of
the house which contribute toward the
comfort Of the laying ben are: Freedom
from moisture, abundance of sunlight,
plenty Of room, protection from excess
i've heat and cold, ventilation, and sani
tation.
The damp, cold house saps the vital
ity Of the fowls, lowers production and
aids the spread of disease. The ben can
eliminate moisture from the body only
through the respiratory organs. A damp,
cold atmosphere causes the fowl to be
uncomfortable, breathe rapidly, pant,
and finally to become completely ex-
hausted. Fowls weakened or in an ex.
hausted condition are easily susceptible
to disease.
Sunlight is a good gsrmicide, helps to
keep the house dry and warm, and there
fore helps to approximate spring condi-
ions. Provision should be made so that
the sunlight will strike all parts of the
floor of the house at some time during
the day.
A hen too closely confined soon be-
comes restless and uneasy. Rsstlessness
results in discomfort and the develop.
ment of such vices as egg. g.esting, feather
pulling and cannibalism. There should
be plenty of room in the house for
proper exercise, not less than four square
feet per bird in focks Of less than 100.
Sudden changes of temperature lower
production. 1t is therefore necessary to
protect the poultry house from north
winds. This may be accomplished by
locating 1t In the lee of another farm
building, an orchard, or row of trees
Shade should be provided for the fowls
in hot weather.
Adequate ventilation helps to keep the
house free from moisture. Plenty Of
ventilation without drafts keeps the
fowls healthy and vigorous. When fowls
are allowed to roost in draft they catch
cold easily.
Any poultry house should be 80 con-
structed that 1t may be easily cleaned
and disinfected Most common poultry
diseases are highly contagious. Mites
breed rapidly and in houses which are
hard to clean are extremely hard to erad-
icate.
1t is also quite as essential to locate
the poultry house where 1t will fit into
the routine Of everyday farm work. 1t
should be near enough to the other farm
buildings so that the care will consume
a minimum of time and labor and yet not
be 80 near that the birds will be nui-
sance.
Attention to these more important
features of the subject of poultry hous-
ing contributes much toward success.