242 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



rOULTRY HOUSE CONSTRUCTION AND YARDING. 



Bulletin No. 266. 



BY II. L, KEMPSTER. 



The iinusiuil demand for information on poultry raising including 

 lioupc plans has led to the publication of this bulletin. It is impossible 

 to go into detail but a few of the principles of house construction will 

 be given to offer the reader an opportunity to adapt them to his parti- 

 cular needs. 



ESSENTIALS OF A POULTRY PLANT. 



Convenience of location and arrangement is essential to economy of 

 time in care and management. Many chicken troubles may be traced to 

 the selection of an unsuitable site or soil not adapted to efficient sanita- 

 tion. Perfect dryness is essential and since this is largely controlled by 

 ventilation, the best possible system should be installed for that pur- 

 pose. An abundance of light is also essential to healthful conditions 

 and abundant egg production. 



LOCATION. 



The commercial poultryman should consider the demands, proximity 

 to markets, and shipping facilities before going into further detail. 

 Unsuitable locations are the cause of much trouble In maintaining 

 healthful flocks and generally result in failure. This important feature 

 should be considered from the standpoint of both the commercial poultry- 

 man and the farmer. The poultry farm should consist of a light soil 

 such as a sandy loam, but not so sandy but that it will produce an 

 abundance of green food for forage. The lighter, more friable soils can 

 be i>lowed and cultivated more easily than clays and at any time during 

 the season. They also drain quickly and dry and warm up early in 

 the spring. Heavy clay soils are objectionable for the following rea- 

 sons, viz : The frequent long continued sticky, muddy condition is dis- 

 agreeable for the attendant, and dirty eggs result from mud being car- 

 ried into the nests on the chickens feet. It is more difficult to keep 

 a heavy soil sweet and sanitary as it dries out slowly, thus limiting the 

 possibilities of cultivation and re-seeding which is also restricted when 

 the opposite conditions of extreme dryness and baking occur. Fewer 

 chickens can be kept on the same area of clay as compared with sandy 

 soil. Permanent sod runs are undesirable as they soon become un- 

 sanitary. Frequent cultivation and re-seeding with suitable forage crops 

 tends to destroy disease germs by exposure to the air, sunlight and 

 frost, while the droppings are utilized by the crops grown. 



