The Chicken House. 63 



CHAPTER VIII. 



CHICKEN-HOUSES. 



Early Chickens — Position of CbickeD House — The Attendant's House — Gravel 

 and Grass Ron — The House — Floor — Provision Against Rats — Size of 

 House. 



In all large poultry yards, especially where it is intended to 

 hatch early broods, a special chicken-house is required ; and 

 when we have described how it is to be built, then we have 

 done with the subject of houses. The object of having a 

 chicken-house is that the early birds may be protected from 

 the bad weather generally found in the beginning of the 

 year, and, when properly built, they can be kept indoors, if 

 necessary. Consequently, such a house must be large and 

 roomy ; but, as it can also be used as a hatching-house, there 

 will be no waste of space in it. If the birds are crowded 

 they will not thrive, and in building, this must be borne in 

 mind. 



The position of a chicken-house must be facing south, 

 south-west, or south-east, and to this rule there can be no 

 exception whatever, as it is an essential that early in the 

 year, when the sun's rays are few and far between, all of 

 them be gathered into the house ; for loss of this heat means 

 more difficulty in rearing. Wherever possible, the back of 

 the house should be a brick or stone wall ; and, if there is 

 any measure of certainty about the occupation of the place 



