Size of the House. 7 



Each family of fowls should, if possible, have a house 

 and run; and if they are kept as breeding stock, and the 

 breeds are to be preserved pure, this is essential. And 

 where many kinds are kept, the various houses must be 

 adapted to the peculiarities of the different breeds, in order 

 to do justice to them all, and to attain success in each. 



The size of the house and the extent of the yard or run 

 should be proportioned to the number of fowls kept ; but 

 it is better for the house to be too small than to^ large, 

 particularly in winter, for the mutual imparting of animal 

 heat. It is found by experience that when fowls are 

 crowded into a small space, their desire for laying con- 

 tinues even in winter ; and there is no fear of engendering 

 disease by crowding if the house is properly ventilated, 

 and thoroughly cleansed every day. Mr. Baily kept for 

 years a cock and four hens in a portable wooden house six 

 feet square, and six feet high in the centre, the sides being 

 somewhat shorter, and says such a house would hold six 

 hens as well as four. Ventilating holes were made near 

 the top. It had no floor, being placed upon the ground, 

 and could be moved at pleasure by means of two poles 

 placed through two staples fixed at the end of each side. 

 A few Cochin-Chinas may be kept where there is no other 

 convenience than an outhouse six feet square to serve for 

 their roosting, laying, and sitting, with a yard of twice that 

 size attached. Mr. Wright " once knew a young man 

 who kept fowls most profitably, with only a house of his 

 own construction, not more than three feet square, and a 

 run of the same width, under twelve feet long." The 

 French breeders keep their fowls in as small a space as 

 possible, in order to generate and preserve the warmth 

 that will induce them to lay ; while the English breeders 

 allow more space for exercise, larger houses, and free cir- 

 culation of air. The French mode is very likely the best 

 for the winter and the English for the summer, but the 

 two opposite methods may be made available by having 

 one or more extra houses and runs into which the fowls 

 can be distributed in the summer. A close, warm roosting- 

 place will cause the production of more eggs in winter, 



