Mrs. Basley's Continuous Fresh Air House and Scratching Shed. 



PART I. 



COMMON SENSE POULTRY HOUSES 



The poultry business is one of the most fascinating as well as the 

 most profitable, considering the amount of capital invested, in the 

 West. The conditions here, however, differ so greatly to those 

 in the East and other localities, that the ways of treating the fowls 

 must also be different. The needs of fowls do not vary; the re- 

 sources of the places do, and the success of the poultry raiser 

 greatly depends upon adapting the conditions of the locality to the 

 need of the fowls. 



Nothing is more important than the proper housing of chickens. 

 The style of house a man builds for his birds will depend upon his 

 means and inclinations. It is not always the most expensive house 

 that gives the most eggs. In planning poultry houses and yards, 

 two or three principles should be firmly held in mind: First, the 

 house must have a liberal supply of oxygen, which can only be 

 supplied by perfect ventilation ; secondly, it must be free from 

 draughts and be dry ; and, thirdly, be easily accessible to the at- 

 tendant, not only for cleaning and spraying, but to enable one to 

 handle the fowls when on the perches. It should also be large 

 enough to avoid crowding of the fowls. 



The laying hens should be kept in yards in permanent houses, 

 easy of access, whilst the young and growing fowls will do best on 

 free range with movable houses, called sometimes colony houses. 

 These give the best results. 



After many years of experience here, the writer has found that 

 there are two classes of houses admirably adapted to the needs of 

 the fowls and to this climate. These are called the open front or 

 the "fresh air" house and the "mushroom" house. What is meant 

 by an open front house, is a house enclosed on three sides and roof, 

 with one side open to the fresh air. This style house can be con- 

 structed as a separate and movable house or as a continuous and 



