Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1919 — HOUSE POULTRY COMFORTABLY [ARTICLE]

HOUSE POULTRY COMFORTABLY

quarters should be furnished the pullets as soon as they are ready to start laying. The poultry, house is both the home of the hen and the factory where winter eggs are produced. Unless it provides suitable living and working conditions the hen cannot accomplish satisfactory results, says T. B. Townsley of the University of Missouri college 9of agriculture. Comfort is the important essential of a poultry house. To provide comfort the house must be dry, well lighted apd well ventilated and have sufficient floor space to furnish exercise by scratching. It must also contain sleeping quarters that are clean, well ventilated and yet free from drafts. All these conditions can be met in one room, thus economizing in the expense of building.

Ventilation in a poultry, house is secured by leaving the south side relatively open and making the other sides tight. This provides plenty of fresh air without drafts. Where possible, light should be admitted from all sides. This prevents dark corners and eliminates the npisance of having the litter all scratched to one side, which occurs when light is secured from only one direction. Exercise is insured by keeping the floor covered with several inches of straw, and feeding all grain in this litter. The roosting quarters should be compact and comfortable. They can be made easy to clean by placing all roosts on a level at the horth side of the house and by arranging a platform underneath the roosts to catch the night droppings.