50 LOCATION AND SITUATION 



birds, and (2) the consideration of labor and time required in 

 attendance. This should be reduced to the lowest possible point 

 without impairing the efficiency. The following factors should 

 be considered carefully in reference to the above before buildings 

 are started: (1) Size and shape of land; (2) soil and surface 

 drainage; (3) slope or land contour; (4) water supply; (5) econ- 

 omy of time and labor; (6) arrangement of buildings; (7) an 

 attractive appearance when complete. 



Size and Shape of Land. The area of land secured will largely 

 influence the system of housing and yarding which will be followed. 

 A farm of forty or fifty acres will allow of developing an immense 

 business on the colony plan as well as giving ample space for grow- 

 ing much of the feed at home. A farm of four or five acres will 

 take care of approximately 1,000 layers on a very intensive com- 

 munity basis, and provide range for raising the young chicks. No- 

 feed except pasture can be grown on such a small area. 



If possible some land on the place should be in trees, preferably 

 fruit trees, so as to have shade available. Artificial shade can be 

 constructed, but it is not so satisfactory as the cool, moist shade 

 provided by growing trees. 



The shape of the farm is an important factor. A square lot of 

 land has the following advantages over a long rectangular one. 



1. If the area is large it is better to place the buildings in 

 the centre near the dwelling house and work the farm all ways 

 from this central location, thus saving much time which would 

 be spent in going long distances many times a day to do the work, 

 as is required when the farm is narrow and the buildings located 

 at one end. 



2. It is practically impossible to have all the flock constantly 

 under the eye of the attendant when they are too scattered; the 

 danger from loss by hawks and thieves of all kinds is apt to be 

 much greater. 



3. If the plant can be planned to have the runs arranged as 

 nearly as possible in the form of squares, the cost for fencing and 

 posts will be less and the amount of green feed grown in them will 

 last much longer than in the long narrow yards. 



' Soil and Surface Drainage. The particular site selected for the 

 houses and runs must, above all else, be perfectly dry, and if not 

 naturally drained it should be underdrained. A wet soil is usually 

 cold, owing to the exclusion of warm air and to the temperature 

 being lowered by evaporation. Wet soils are unhealthy, as there 



