114 



The roosts in both houses are so arranged that they can be 

 hooked up during the day to keep the hens off of them, and while 

 cleaning the droppings off. 



The broody coops are used in the breeding pens to alternate the 

 males every third day and in the laying pens in case of a broody hen 

 or injured bird, as there are no males in these pens. 



I have only one large yard on a side of each house. While only 

 keeping one breed and variety, this is very desirable because it gives 

 each bird about six times the space it would have in a small yard of 

 given length and width of the pens ; then, too, each bird will go to its 

 own roost at night. I might say that all yards are planted to trees the 

 same. 



As each building has its details drawn out, I think it is not nec- 

 essary to 'go through them here. 



The five acres are enclosed with wire, w r hich is eight and a half 

 feet high, composed of six feet two-inch mesh, plus three feet one- 

 inch mesh, six inches of which are buried in the earth to prevent 

 scratching out or in, and the rest of the fencing is the same, all put 

 on steel posts, as those are cheaper than wooden posts. 



The breed and variety kept will be the White Plymouth Rock, as 

 I deem a white bird makes the best appe'arance when dressed, especi- 

 ally when the pinfeather stages are contended with and too, the meat 

 product is a heavy one at the present day, and a man wants to pro- 

 duce the best. 



SHED ROOF BREEDING HOUSE. 



This is one of the best houses that can possibly be erected. It is 

 cheap, easily constructed, and contains every principle necessary to in- 



^ Cnt>b/e sfrme- ctrafii00P_ 



~L_ 



N 



Figure 1. 



sure convenience and the good health of the flock. It can be built as a 

 colony house, ten, twelve, fourteen or sixteen feet square, or as a 

 long laying house or breeding house, and divided into pens from ten 

 to sixteen feet in width. 



