THE CONSTRUCTION OF POULTRY HOUSES 207 



is square in shape, with the home buildings in the center, 

 where you will have a full view of your poultry and buildings 

 at all times. 



It will be noted that in field No. 1 there are colony houses 

 and fruit trees. This field is used for the growing of young 

 stock. The houses are made portable, that is, placed on 

 runners, so that they can be moved readily from field to field. 

 Hovers of some description, either coal or oil heated, can be 

 placed in them and kept there till the youngsters no longer 

 require heat. These hovers when not needed can be removed, 

 and the growing stock allowed to remain in the same colony 

 house undisturbed. 



While field No. 1 is being used for the growing stock, field 

 No. 2 can be plowed and some useful crop grown. By alter- 

 nating these fields from year to year we prevent the soil from 

 becoming contaminated with disease. 



Fields 3, 5, and 7 are alternated the same way. While one 

 is occupied with poultry the other is growing some valuable 

 crop. All of the fields may be set out in young fruit trees, 

 and in a few years the ground will be yielding two crops, one 

 of poultry, one of fruit. 



Corn is sown in field No. 7 and grown as a temporar}' shade. 

 No. 6 represents a long laying house, which we recommend for 

 commercial egg production These houses can be built any 

 length. A house 100 feet long and 20 feet wide will accom- 

 modate 500 layers and provide plenty of room for exercise 

 during the long winter months when the birds are confined. 



The fruit trees keep the poultry cool in the summer time, 

 which is essential, as excessive warmth causes the birds to 

 suffer severely. It impairs their growth, health, and egg 

 production. 



Apples are the best all-round fruit for the poultrjinan, al- 

 though in some localities nuts, as English walnuts and pecans, 

 are successfully grown. The trees should be planted 45 feet 

 apart, and on a plot of ground square in shape and containing 

 10 acres there can be 196 trees planted. 



Apples are not so perishable as some other fruits, as they can 

 be hurriedly picked and packed and shipped in spare times or 



