7 



Equipment. 



The House. 



The poultry house should be located on a well-drained plot. 

 If necessary, fill in or grade so the ground will slope away from 

 the house. This will throw the drainage water from the yard 

 on the garden plot, enrich the soil and at the same time have a 

 cleansing effect on the yard itself. Convenience for the at- 

 tendant should not be forgotten, as the hens must be cared for 

 every day, and the garden plot is used only a portion of the 

 year. The attendant should, therefore, have a direct route 

 from the dwelling to the hen coop, and not be compelled to 

 take a circuitous route to avoid flower beds or other small plots. 

 Economy of space and utilization of the ground adjacent to the 

 fence should also be kept in mind. If the land is dry and well 

 drained, no floor is needed unless a movable house is desired, 

 in which case a floor is necessary to keep the house in shape 

 while transferring it. A wood floor can be made by using 

 2 by 4's on edge for joists, covering them with matched stuff; 

 or a more durable floor can be made by removing the loam 

 where the house is to rest, filling in with cinders or gravel for 

 good drainage, and on this place a cement slab 4 or 5 inches 

 thick. A floor built in this way is not expensive, and will be 

 found very satisfactory. 



K small poultry house should have at least 5 square feet of 

 floor space per hen; should be well lighted, dry, well venti- 

 lated, convenient, inexpensive and sightly. Warmth should be 

 considered, but not at the expense of dampness and poor 

 ventilation. 



