126 Farm Poultry 



meet the natural as well as the artificial conditions 

 under which the fowls are to be kept. Figs. 47 

 and 48 illustrate a way of constructing poultry 

 houses and adjoining yards for moderate -sized 

 flocks. This system has been used satisfactorily 

 by successful poultrymen on comparatively level 

 land. It is particularly advantageous when small 

 yards are to be used that will require thorough 

 cultivation. Whatever may be the form or size 

 of the yard, it should be borne in mind that the 

 first requisite is cleanliness, that part of the 

 yard nearest the poultry house undoubtedly 

 requiring frequent cultivation. The ideal con- 

 dition is to have one part of the yard in perma- 

 nent grass and another part well cultivated. If 

 a rocky or rough piece of land, more or less 

 woody, is near at hand, there is no reason why 

 this may not profitably form a part of the poultry 

 run or yard. Poultry yards accommodating fifty 

 hens should inclose about sixteen square rods. 

 If fifty fowls are kept confined in the house and 

 yard throughout the year, as described above, it 

 will be necessary to have a considerable part 

 of the yard thoroughly cultivated in order to 

 keep it clean. 



The expense of constructing and maintaining 

 poultry fences is considerable, and the plan 

 to be preferred is the one that will give the 

 greatest satisfaction with the least amount of 



