mesh wire, to be used for a day or two when the chicks are first put in the brooder ; 

 they can be moved to any part of the ranch, thus giving the chicks the benefit of 

 clean virgin soil and free range. On the other hand, a hot-water pipe brooder-house 

 can only be used during the hatching period. It is generally not suitable to place 

 half-grown or mature fowls in, because of the danger from lice, red mites, or disease, 

 and lack of sufficient ventilation for large fowls. 



An illustration is given of a combination colony house that can be used with an 

 individual hover in rearing young chicks or for growing stock upon the open range. 

 In the winter-time it may be used for a laying-house. This house can be closed 

 during early spring work for rearing young chicks, and ventilation secured through 

 a cloth screen, which can take the place of the tight-board shutter as seen in the 

 illustration. When used for growing stock or laying hens, the windows and screens 

 are opened, so as to make it practically any open-front colony house. The colony 

 houses may be put upon runners, so as to be drawn readily from place to place. 

 The colony house should not be less than 6x6 feet, 6x8 feet, or 8 x 10 feet in 

 size. Permanent colony houses are usually 8 x 16 feet in size. 



A good type of colony house. Measurements, 6 feet long, 8 feet deep, 

 6 feet 6 inches in front, 4 feet 6 inches rear. Colony houses can be hauled 

 to any part of the ranch, thus giving young or old stock opportunity to rai 

 on clean soil. Can be used as cockerel, pullet, or breeding bouses after chickens 

 are matured. The top shutter or board window makes a splendid hood or rain- 

 shield and can be changed to a muslin-curtain screen if desired. 



After the chicks are a month old, the house can be raised up about a foot from 

 the ground, providing splendid shade for the chickens, and also preventing rats or 

 vermin from sheltering underneath. 



Where chicks are raised on free range in this fashion, the labour of daily feec 

 ing can be dispensed with by means of hopper-feeding. A large barrel or cask can 

 also be utilized to hold a sufficient quantity of water to last for several days. A 

 sprinkling of permanganate potash crystals now and again will keep the water 

 good condition. 



Sunflowers or corn can be grown, and even potatoes or cabbages, on ram 

 same time as the chickens. Sunflowers or corn make splendid shade, and are a great 

 protection against hawks, owls, blue-jays, etc. The constant cultivation needed 1 

 crops of this kind afford the chickens every facility to secure the abundan( 



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