CHAPTER LXVI 

 POULTRY HOUSES 



Location. Poultry houses should be located on well- 

 drained, porous soil. Surface drainage is important, and, if 

 necessary, it is always possible to modify the surface by 

 grading. A gentle slope to the south or the southeast is best. 

 A good windbreak is necessary, but there should be sufficient 

 air drainage. 



Poultry houses should not be made a part of, or located 

 near, other farm buildings which may furnish a harbor for 

 vermin that will prey upon the young fowls. Poultry houses 

 may be quite close to the dwelling house, as in many instances 

 the women of the farm have the care of the poultry. 



Dimensions. Modern poultry houses are usually built 

 on the unit system, that is, in sections for each flock of 25 to 

 100 birds. There has been much development of late years 

 in regard to the amount of air and sunlight admitted to the 

 poultry house ; in fact, some houses are now built with one 

 side entirely open to the weather. The poultry house is sel- 

 dom built wider than 12 feet, although wider buildings may 

 be more economical as far as space obtained for material used 

 in construction is concerned. The unit or section is usually 

 16 feet long. 



Space for Each Fowl. The space for each fowl is usually 

 based on the area of floor surface rather than upon the cubical 

 space. Four to six square feet is usually allowed for each 

 fowl. The breed of the fowl, the range or size of the lot, the 

 climate, and the size of the house are factors to be taken into 

 account in deciding upon the amount of space for each fowl. 



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