78 The Hen at Work 



hens do not wander. When confined, the hen 

 must eat what and when her owner wishes; 

 when she runs about she often eats what and 

 when she wishes. The regulated diet proves the 

 best. 



Besides this, there is a growing opinion that 

 ground where poultry runs becomes infected far 

 more easily than has been supposed, and even large 

 yards expose fowls to this danger. The house is 

 always under our control. We may clean it when 

 we will and remove every scrap of litter, which can 

 hardly be done in a yard. 



It seems reasonable, then, to consider the loca- 

 tion of the house without placing too much impor- 

 tance on yard space, and to plan the building so the 

 flock will be comfortable, if kept confined. 



Off the Ground. — 'The matter of location is de- 

 termined to a certain degree also by the floor of the 

 house. If the floor is on the ground, the home 

 must at any cost be on a dry, well-drained location. 

 If the floor is off the ground you need not worry 

 so much about drainage, and if you want to be up 

 to date, and make a real profit, you will build your 

 floor off the ground. 



When your hen-house floor is a foot or more off 



