16 PROFIT WITH POULTRY 



legs and feet. Many back yard poultry keepers 

 have two small runways to each laying house, thus 

 making it possible to plant each yard alternately 

 with oats, rye, or other quick growing grasses. 

 Where space permits this method is preferable. On 

 the other hand, there are those who pay little 

 attention to the runways, thinking it only necessary 

 to clean the henhouse and let the yard take care of 

 itself. Such neglect is liable to result in disease. 



In building runways it is well to have the location 

 high and dry and running toward the south if pos- 

 sible. By building the yards on the south side of 

 the house they are protected to a certain extent 

 from the cold winds, which means much to the 

 flock during the colder months. Soil should also 

 receive attention. Clay, which bakes dry and hard 

 during dry weather and gets soft and muddy dur- 

 ing rains, is anything but satisfactory for a mod- 

 ern poultry yard. Such ground should be covered 

 with a good layer of black, sandy, or gravelly soil 

 or may be topped off with clean cinders well rammed 

 and rolled. 



Poultry wants plenty of shade in summer, and in 

 constructing runs this must have consideration. 

 Trees in or adjacent to the pens or sunflower or 

 other plants are commonly and successfully used for 

 this purpose. Small, low runs may be partly cov- 

 ered with canvas or roofing paper or vines may be 

 planted so as to give the hens a shady retreat. Com- 



