198 



Bulletin 246. 



meadows, pastures or even corn fields where the chickens can enjoy the 

 natural conditions for development, which are absolutely essential to 

 strong, healthy bodies and rapid, normal growth. Very large poultry 

 establishments must provide for rearing the chickens on new, :lean sod 

 land at frequent intervals, each year if possible, if the plant is to be 

 permanently successful. This is particularly important where chickens 

 are reared to maturity and are to be kept for breeding purposes. 



9. Permits double use of ground. 



The fact that the type of house here recommended stands on run- 

 ners one foot high has the double advantage of furnishing desirable 

 shade which frequently cannot be provided without considerable extra 

 trouble and expense, and also adds 64 sq. ft. to the size of the yard area. 

 This is an important consideration where the yard area is limited. Since 

 it is raised one foot from the ground the house does not become a har- 

 boring place for skunks, rats and other vermin, and the floor is always 

 dry. The height from the ground does not prove a serious handicap to 

 the chickens which are obliged to pass up and down a rather steep incline 

 when entering and leaving the colony house. 



A narrow mesh wire fence, one and one-half feet high, staked tem- 

 porarily in front of the exit door, should be provided to confine the 

 chickens to a limited space until 

 they are able to fly over the 

 fence, after which the fence 

 should be tacked to the 

 building to prevent chick- 

 ens from going under un- 

 til old enough to go into 

 the house of their own 

 free will. After 

 they are a few 

 weeks old the 

 wire may be re- 

 moved to other 

 houses and used 

 i n connection 

 with younger 

 broods. 



Fig. 73. — Placing the burner box. 



Where other 

 shade is natur- 

 ally provided or can easily be secured, the wire about the house may be 

 retained and the chickens not allowed to go under the house. Occasion- 

 ally some trouble is experienced by having the chickens riui under during 



