58 



Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



even though wire netting is very cheap, when it has to be 

 purchased by the hundred or thousand yards, it adds a very 

 considerable item to the capital account. Then, again, the 

 fowls clean and manure the land, which is a specially valuable 

 thing after ploughing or harvesting, and we know farms 

 where the birds are kept on the pasture land during the 

 early part of the year ; but, as soon as the hay, corn or root 

 crops are off, the houses are immediately moved thereon, 

 and kept there as long as possible. On one farm we are 

 acquainted with, the fowls are allowed to wander about 

 among both corn and root crops, as soon as the plants are 



Fig. 6.— Christy's Portable House. 



about twelve and six inches respectively above the ground ; and 

 the owner informs us that the injury done is really nominal, 

 whilst the benefit is very great. Fortunately, the time of year 

 when the number of birds is greatest, is during the late summer 

 and early autumn, when the land is most at liberty, and thus 

 the poultry do not hamper or hinder the other work of a farm. 

 Finally, there can be no question that birds kept in movable 

 houses are hardier, thrive better, and lay better, than if in 

 confined spaces ; but, of course, there are some disadvantages, 

 such as risk of the birds laying away, additional labour in 

 feeding and attendance, and, in some districts, danger of 



