HOUSING OF POULTRY 169 



This is not favorable to high egg production. Sufficient 

 air drainage, without interfering with the comfort or ac- 

 tivity of the hen, is the ideal condition. The houses may 

 be built on the leeward side of an orchard or in the shelter 

 of buildings. A wind-break of trees may be set out where 

 necessary to provide shelter. 



4. Sunshine. If possible the houses and yards should 

 be built where they will get the full benefit of the sun- 

 shine. Face them south unless the prevailing winds are 

 from that direction. If the prevailing winds and storms 

 come from the west or south the house may be faced east. 

 It may even be necessary in cases to face the house north. 

 In such cases windows may be put in the south side of 

 the house to admit the sunshine. Sunshine is a germ de- 

 stroyer and a better egg producer than red pepper or 

 other condimental foods. 



5. Other Points. Other points that should be con- 

 sidered in locating the houses are (a) the convenience of 

 the attendant, nearness to the feed and water supply will 

 save in labor; (b) building the houses away from the 

 other buildings will make it easier to keep the premises 

 free from insect pests and rats. 



Chickens that roost in trees have good health. They 

 have constitutional vigor. They lay well except in severe 

 weather. Their eggs are of good weight and hatch well. 

 They very seldom have colds in coldest weather, while 

 their sisters in warm houses will be running at the nostrils 

 and have swelled head and ruffled feathers. 



If the greatest problem is to maintain the health and 

 vigor of the flock, and hens will maintain health and vigor 

 without any houses, why then are houses needed for fowls ? 

 It is true that hens usually prefer to roost in the trees 

 rather than in the houses. 



