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to the natural conditions, and continue to exist ; but the process 

 would certainly reduce their egg production, and probably their 

 size. We attempt to provide, by means of proper shelter, a more 

 equable and comfortable climate, and expect remuneration for this 

 outlay of capital in the form of plump chickens and numerous eggs 

 at a season when prices are satisfactory. Whatever the style or 

 form of poultry building contemplated, it should be so placed that 

 storm water and surface-tlowage water will flow away from and 

 not into or under the house. For this reason, a knoll or spot 

 where the ground slopes away from the site is a good place to 

 select for the building. If the soil is liable to be soaked with 

 water at any season, it is well to excavate one or two feet deep, 

 and fill in with stones where the building is to stand. Tile drains 

 may also be laid to conduct the soil water away from beneath the 

 house. Dryness within the house is further secured by raising 

 the floor six inches to a foot above the level of the ground sur- 

 rounding the house. 



J o 



The Kind of House. 



There are many forms of hen houses, some of them desirable, 

 others despicable. Each poultry keeper ought to make a study 

 of this matter, as related to the particular conditions of his loca- 

 tion and the scope of his plans. Too many hen houses are adapted 

 only for winter conditions. The effect of each season and of all 

 kinds of weather must be kept in mind, if the house is intended to 

 provide a comfortable home for the fowls throughout the year. 

 Winter and summer quarters and a scratching-shed may be com- 

 bined in one house or in one room, if so desired. Perhaps I 

 can best explain several essential points in home architecture for 

 poultry by describing, as well as I can in words, a house suited, 

 under favorable conditions, for a flock of thirty farm fowls. It is 

 not forbidden to build of stone or brick or concrete ; but I should 

 construct the house of wood, and build on runners, so that it 

 could be readily moved if it ever became desirable to change to a 

 new location or to fresh ground. I think that in a house fairly 

 well ventilated at least 30 cubic feet of air space should be allowed 

 per fowl. For our thirty fowls we must then provide 900 cubic 

 feet of interior space. This we can do if we make the foundation 

 of the house in the form of an oblong, 15 by 10 feet, or of a 

 square, 12| by 12| feet, and give the roof an average height of 

 6 feet. The floor may be of boards, concrete, or of dry dirt to be 

 renewed at intervals. Usually the house faces to the south or 

 south-east. The house is highest at the front, and the roof slant- 

 ing to the rear should have a sufficient pitch to readily shed 



