An Ideal House 83 



one slightly oblong if we have lumber that cuts 

 better that way. Instead of a house ten feet 

 square we might have one twelve by eight, or ten 

 by eight. It would not be wise to make one four- 

 teen by six. Such a house invites drafts, and does 

 not combine ventilation and shelter well. The 

 nearer to the square we get, the better the house 

 will be for hen purposes. 



Suppose, now, that we decide that we will be 

 guided by experience, and build a simple, sunny 

 house, and start out in a small, safe way. 



Size of House. — The size of the house depends on 

 the number of laying hens you wish to keep . As it is 

 about as easy to care for twenty -five as for a dozen, 

 and easier to make use of the table-scraps in a flock 

 of twenty-five, the wise plan would be to build for 

 that number. There is always a sale at retail prices 

 almost at your door for the eggs such a flock would 

 lay, and the cash return, is not to be sneezed at. 



Four square feet to each bird is the least which 

 should be allowed for health and comfort. A flock 

 of twenty-five would call for a house ten feet square. 

 But, as a little more room will give a little better 

 result, let us decide to make our house ten feet 

 deep by twelve feet long. 



