CHAPTER V. 



HOUSES FOR LAYERS. 



The form, proportions and fixtures of the fowl house, 

 to secure a few eggs and chickens for home use, are of 

 small consequence, so long as the proprietor has invented 

 something a little different from what has ever been 

 made before, and is satisfied. But business upon a large 

 scale demands buildings that shall conduce in the high- 

 est degree to the thrift of their inmates, and to the con- 

 venience of the attendant, while the outlay, in both 

 material and construction, should be the lowest possible. 

 The buildings generally put up cost two or three dollars 

 for each fowl provided for, while fanciers sometimes 

 expend five dollars or more per head for the housing of 

 their poultry. There are three classes of adult fowls nec- 

 essary under our plan, which we designate as breeders, 

 sitters and layers ; and the latter, which are most numer- 

 ous, are housed at a cost of materials not exceeding forty 

 cents for each bird, estimates being based on hemlock 

 lumber at twenty-three dollars per thousand. The 

 accommodations for the breeding and sitting stock are 

 necessarily more expensive, and there is, in addition, 

 the cost of coops and appliances for raising chickens 

 enough to replace two-thirds of the adults yearly. 



The house used at the stations, for the layers, is rep- 

 resented by the larger of the two buildings shown in 

 Fig. 9. It is not too large to be moved with conven- 

 ience, and nothing smaller would accommodate a flock 

 of fifty, the number to be kept at each station, with 

 perches, nests, and sufficient ground room in stormy 



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