CHAPTER X 



POULTRY-HOUSE FITTINGS 



In discussing poultry houses the position of the roosts was con- 

 sidered with reference to ventilation and the comfort of the birds ; 

 the availability of the earth floor for dusting was mentioned, and 

 a few other like points came up incidentally. With such exceptions 

 the treatment of coops and buildings for poultry considered only 

 the structure as a shell, — a shelter from the elements for the birds 

 and for the apparatus that it houses. In this chapter the various 

 fixtures, apparatus, and appliances used by poultry keepers are con- 

 sidered with reference to their adjustments to the birds and to their 

 adaptation to methods of work. Special attention is given to those 

 things which poultry keepers may construct for themselves. ■'^ In 

 general, simple appliances of home make are as good as any and 

 are much less expensive than most articles sold for the same 

 purpose. Usually it is advisable to buy such elaborate appliances 

 as incubators and brooders, though persons with special aptitude 

 for and skill in such work often make their own in whole or in 



^ In every kind of article tliat poultrymen use, and for every operation that 

 they have to perform, special apparatus, utensils, tools, etc. are offered for sale. 

 Many of these have been patented. In many other cases designers who regard 

 themselves as inventors sell copyrighted drawings and instructions for making 

 apparatus, appliances, and houses, with " permits " to the purchaser to manu- 

 facture for his own use. Very few patents on this class of articles hold when 

 contested. Even in incubators and brooders a good feature introduced by one 

 manufacturer is immediately imitated with impunity by as many other manu- 

 facturers as can see advantage to themselves in using it. Copyrights on plans 

 and instructions cover only their exact contents and protect the publisher only 

 from the use of his work by other publishers. The " permits " given with them 

 have no force. Any one into whose hands such instructions come may use the 

 designs as they are, or with such modifications as he chooses. None of the de- 

 vices exploited in this way, however, is of such exclusive merit that it is worth 

 while to consider it in preference to others in which no one claims proprietary 

 rights. Good designs for all kinds of articles of this class may be found in 

 experiment-station bulletins and in the poultry and agricultural press. As a rule, 

 the simplest contrivance that will answer any purpose is the most economical 

 and, all things considered, the most satisfactory. 



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