288 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



suflBcient size to house a colony of a thousand birds are being 

 used successfully on specialized poultry farms. In a few 

 cases large-sized colonies of chickens are divided into two 

 groups, each having its own pen. 



The continuous house, containing several pens, is somewhat 

 less expensive to construct than colony houses containing 

 the same amount of floor space as the respective pens. Its 

 pens are better protected in extremely cold weather and the 

 labor of caring for the several groups is concentrated. The 

 contamination of the ground and the loss of fertility will be 



FiQ. 159 



There should be at least one portable colony house on every farm where 

 chickens are kept. (Courtesy of Kansas Experiment Station.) 



somewhat greater than with a permanent colony house, and 

 a great deal worse than with a portable colony house that 

 is moved from place to place. The danger of epidemics 

 travelling from flock to flock is very much greater in the 

 continuous house. 



The portable house differs from the permanent house in 

 that instead of being anchored on a foundation it rests on 

 runner sills and may be drawn from one location to another. 

 This is highly advantageous in that it is possible to have the 

 fowls frequently on fresh ground; it allows the chickens to 



