984 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 



EXPERIMENTAL FARM, INDIAN HEAD, SASK. 



REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT, T. J. HARRISON, B.S.A. 



POULTRY. 



Considerable work with poultry had been done in the early years of this Farm. Of 

 late years, however, practically no investigation work was carried on. Two breeds were 

 kept, Barred Rocks and White Wyandottes. These were used for producing eggs and 

 fowl to supply the Farm. They w^ere housed in a permanent building partly imder- 

 ground, and in winter were kept warm by means of artificial heat. This building waa 

 not proving very satisfactory since, being underground, it was hard to keep dry, and 

 no means of ventilation was provided. 



In September, 1913, three colony houses were built. Two were 12 by 14 feet with a 

 floor, suitable for forty birds each, one was 10 by 12 feet with a floor, for twenty-five 

 birds. When these were completed, 40 White Wyandotte and forty Plymouth Rock 

 hens were received from Quebec. These were placed in the two large houses, while the 

 small house was filled with a mixed flock from the Farm. During the winter the 

 temperature at this Station went as low as 44° below zero, but the birds all came 

 through without even a frozen comb. They always seemed to be both vigorous and 

 contented. The early winter egg production was small, but this can be partly accounted 

 for by the fact that the birds were shipped from Quebec in November. From observa- 

 tions so far it can be concluded that hens can be wintered in the cotton-front house in 

 southern Saskatchewan without danger of the birds freezing. Whether this is a more 

 satisfactory house than the artificially heated one for winter egg production cannot be 

 stated from investigations so far, but this test will be continued and something more 

 definite will be available after another season's experience. 



While the three houses were similar, there was some difference in construction. 

 One of the large houses had no glass whatever, the light being all taken from the cotton 

 windows. The other large house had a small amount of glass, while the smaller house 

 had both glass and a floor. It would seem that the hens were more comfortable in the 

 house without the glass, while those in the floored house suffered, if anything, more from 

 the cold. 



These houses are built with an idea of producing a building that will be suitable 

 for the average farmer on the prairie. Here only a small flock of fowl is kept and a 

 house large enough for from twenty-five to forty birds will be found most suitable. 

 The houses are cheap in construction. Plans and specifications may be secured from 

 the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, or from the Experimental Farm, Indian 

 Head, Sask. 



