CHAPTER XVI 



REMODELLING OLD POULTRY HOUSES 



ON ordinary farms and often on small village lots, will 

 be found auxiliary buildings, such as sheds, out-buildings, 

 etc., which by a little ingenuity can be remodelled into good 

 poultry shelters at small cost. Basement barns, slightly 

 reconstructed, make excellent winter quarters for laying hens. 

 Where poultry houses of antiquated type can be reconstructed 

 at small cost, the aim should be to make such changes as 

 will give efficiency and durability. If the remodelled house 



FIG. 93. The boiler room of an old grist mill was remodelled into a poultry 

 house for twenty-five birds so that the little man might have a place for a special 

 flock all his own. 



is to be satisfactory, it must be water-tight and should be 

 air-tight on three sides (Fig. 93). It must be so arranged that 

 plenty of sunlight can enter it, with openings that will 

 constantly admit plenty of fresh air, yet not be drafty. 

 Care must be taken to see that it is dry, especially that the 

 floor of the house is not wet and moist. In old buildings, 

 special precautions to guard against rats should be taken. 

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