Poultry Problems and Profits. 



417 



the birds, which is an aid to good health, and less need for animal 

 and vegetable foods to be supplied during the summer season. 

 Some disadvantages are, extra amount of labor required in getting 

 around to all the houses, especially in bad weather; greater cost 

 of buildings for same number of birds that could be accommo- 

 dated in one continuous apartment house, and inability to care for 

 as large a number of birds per acre. 



The trouble with too many plans for poultry houses is that 

 they mean too much expense for the average man. However, 

 there are a few general suggestions which all may follow. One 

 mistake often made is that we build our hen houses more to ac- 



A POULTRY HOUSE BUILT AT LITTLE COST. DRINKING FOUNTAIN SHOWN 



IN FOREGROUND. 



commodate ourselves than the hen, making them higher than need 

 be, and sacrificing good points for good looks. One objection to 

 the average poultry house is that it is too tight, yet not tight 

 enough. This is to say, that the house should be so constructed 

 as to keep out drafts, but not air. Should half the front be taken 

 out of the average hen house and the material thus obtained, used 

 in closing every crevice in the sides and back, making the building 

 draft-proof, but leaving half the front open except for woven wire, 

 with a curtain to be used in cold or stormy weather, the birds 



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