22 California Poultry Practice 



thrown in the litter twice a day to give the hens exercise. There 

 is city water and all the founts on one floor are filled by turning on a 

 faucet. These founts are also on a platform so that no litter can be 

 scratched into them. Sprouted oats are fed for greens, and here the 

 basement or cellar is utilized, as the oats are sprouted there. 



The advantages of a plant of this kind are, first; the fowls are all 

 under one roof, as are also the necessary belongings to take care of 

 them. The operator has the hens under full control; if one is sick 

 he can easily catch it. His cleaning can all be done in an orderly 

 fashion and need not take up very much of his time. Being no 

 yards, there is no danger of soil contamination. Plenty of litter in 

 the pens keeps the birds in exercise and at the same time it keeps 

 the floors clean and dry. But the biggest advantage lies in the fact 

 that the business can be conducted without middlemen or extra 

 expense, such as horses and wagons for delivery, which would also 

 mean drivers. 



As no chicks are raised there would be no need for crowing cocks, 

 thus all eggs would be free from germ life and such eggs keep better 

 in warm weather, and are really better for table use at all seasons, 

 so that such a plant need not be a nuisance in any city. It would have 

 to be tried, however, before any one could tell whether California 

 housewives would be willing to do their part toward saving middle 

 men's profits. 



